How much did the temperature drop in Texas during the total solar eclipse?

The recent total solar eclipse that cast a shadow across Texas didn’t just bring darkness – it brought a noticeable drop in temperature as well. Texans throughout the path of totality were struck by a sudden chill, a welcome respite from the state’s usual spring warmth.

This phenomenon occurs because the moon blocks the sun’s rays, significantly reducing the amount of incoming solar radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. Essentially, with the sun’s heat source temporarily dimmed, the ground has less energy to absorb and convert into warmth. Imagine at night time when the sun has gone down.

“You can expect the temperature to drop about 10 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) depending on the humidity and cloud cover at your location,” NASA said.

The extent of the cool down depended on factors like cloud cover. Areas with clear skies experienced the most dramatic temperature change. Conversely, regions with cloud cover saw a less pronounced dip, sometimes as low as just 1 degree Fahrenheit. This is because clouds themselves can act like a partial barrier to sunlight, and so the additional blockage from the moon during the eclipse has a smaller overall effect.