Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Oregon was the first U.S. state in the path of the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse, but the available evidence does not establish that clouds broadly blocked views across the state. Western Oregon faced a familiar risk of morning marine stratus, while parts of eastern Oregon had historically more favorable clear-sky conditions; reports from Eugene, Madras, and Salem document the eclipse’s effects without proving how clear every viewer’s sky was.
When the 2017 eclipse crossed Oregon
The Moon’s shadow entered the continental United States in Oregon on August 21, 2017. The National Weather Service (NWS) Portland office places totality in Oregon between about 10:15 and 10:25 a.m. PDT, with the exact time depending on location. The NWS gives Newport’s start of totality as about 10:16 a.m. PDT. Near the path’s centerline, totality could last about 2 minutes 40 seconds; it lasted less farther from the centerline.
NASA’s pre-event account put the start near Lincoln City at about 10:15 a.m. PDT. The whole eclipse took about one hour and 40 minutes to cross the country, but the total phase was brief for an observer at any one location.
Could clouds block the eclipse in Oregon?
They could at a particular viewing site, but the sources reviewed do not show that clouds broadly obscured the eclipse across Oregon. The NWS says summer-morning marine stratus is common west of the Cascades and often fills the Willamette Valley before clearing by late morning. Conditions can vary by location, and climate patterns cannot establish what the sky looked like at a specific spot on eclipse morning.
Shopping ad
- Solar eclipse glasses Approved 2024, Safe Solar Observation - These certified safe shades are designed for direct solar viewing. Our solar eclipse glasses are perfect for observing eclipses, sunspots, and planetary transits.
- Meets Industry Standards - Our CE and ISO certified safe shades for direct sun viewing are made while adhering to stringent safety and quality regulations set by the American Astronomical Society.
- A Comfy Fit - These certified sunglasses for eclipse are suitable for teens and adults. Featuring crease lines on both sides, these optical quality safe shades may be worn over prescription glasses.
- Filters Out Harmful Light - View eclipses safely with our paper glasses. Our solar viewers use solar safe filter technology, which helps shield your eyes from IR, UV, and 99.9999% of visible light.
- Excellent Value - Each pack contains 10 non-polarized solar eclipse glasses for viewing the sun. Share them with friends and loved ones so you can all enjoy viewing solar eclipses in complete safety.
NASA’s pre-event analysis used satellite observations from August 21 dates between 2000 and 2016. It identified Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming among the western states with some of the best chances of a clear eclipse-viewing day. That historical pattern was not a guarantee of clear skies at every Oregon site in 2017.
The NWS Boise office published historical clear-sky frequencies for 10–11 a.m. PDT in mid-to-late August: 50% at Baker City, 92% at Ontario, and 80% at Burns (National Weather Service, 2017). These are station climatology figures, not observations of the eclipse itself. The underlying table covers August 20–22 observations and has limitations: some stations have short records, and automated systems record clouds only at or below 12,000 feet above ground.
Shopping ad
- Solar eclipse glasses Approved 2024,Safe Solar Observation - These certified safe shades are designed for direct solar viewing. Our approved solar eclipse glasses are perfect for observing eclipses, sunspots, and planetary transits.
- Meets Industry Standards - Our CE and ISO certified safe shades for direct sun viewing are made while adhering to stringent safety and quality regulations set by the American Astronomical Society.
- A Comfy Fit - These certified sunglasses for eclipse are suitable for teens and adults. Featuring crease lines on both sides, these optical quality safe shades may be worn over prescription glasses.
- Filters Out Harmful Light - View eclipses safely with our paper glasses. Our solar viewers use solar safe filter technology, which helps shield your eyes from IR, UV, and 99.9999% of visible light.
- Excellent Value - Each pack contains 10 non-polarized solar eclipse glasses for viewing the sun. Share them with friends and loved ones so you can all enjoy viewing solar eclipses in complete safety.
Forecast certainty also matters. Before the event, the NWS Pendleton office noted that detailed cloud forecasts were not dependable far in advance; point forecasts would become available about a week before the eclipse. A long-range outlook or a station’s historical frequency should not be mistaken for a verified event-day condition. Wildfire smoke can also reduce clarity, but the NWS says it typically does not obscure the Sun unless a fire is nearby. Smoke, haze, and clouds are not interchangeable explanations.
What was observed in Oregon?
After the eclipse, the University of Oregon reported that its Eugene campus reached “almost total darkness” at 10:19 a.m. and that 99.4% of the Sun was covered there. The university also published solar-radiation measurements from Madras, which was within the path of totality. NASA’s archive includes an eclipse view from a gathering at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem.
Shopping ad
- 🎯 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘?! If you're reading this, then congratulations: you are one of the smart ones planning ahead of the upcoming eclipse on 12 Aug 2026 that won't be scrambling when they're sold out everywhere. We respect that. As the saying goes: "the future belongs to those who prepare for it today
- 🛡️ 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 & 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐈𝐒𝐎 𝟏𝟐𝟑𝟏𝟐-𝟐 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓: Every pair meets the international solar viewing safety standard required for direct sun observation. A typo on a small early batch displayed "12312-1" by mistake - this was a print error only, never a safety issue, and all current inventory prints the correct ISO 12312-2 standard
- 🔗 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒: Every pair arrives individually wrapped to stay clean, scratch-free, and ready to share, plus an attached lanyard keeps them securely around your neck between viewing moments. No more lost glasses, no more crushed pairs in your back pocket (yes, we've all done it).
- 🌒𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐏?𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄: Includes bonus solar camera filters that you hold over your phone lens while filming, so you can safely capture totality, the diamond ring, and partial phases without burning out your camera sensor.
- 💯 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐄𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒𝐄 𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄: If you're not 100% satisfied, we'll make it right. Tens of thousands of customers have trusted HELIOCLIPSE for safe solar viewing across previous eclipses. We've done this before, and we'll be doing it again on August 12, 2026, with you.
These reports document the eclipse’s effects at specific Oregon locations. They do not establish a statewide cloud-obscuration rate or prove that every attendee had an unobstructed view. No Oregon-wide statistic measuring how many viewers had their view blocked by clouds was identified in the reviewed sources.
How to compare Oregon viewing locations
| Factor | What the evidence says | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| West versus east of the Cascades | Marine stratus is common on summer mornings west of the Cascades; parts of eastern Oregon have historically favorable clear-sky frequencies. | It does not tell you whether a particular place was cloudy on August 21, 2017. |
| Historical station frequencies | The NWS Boise table reports 10–11 a.m. PDT mid-to-late August clear-sky frequencies of 50% at Baker City, 92% at Ontario, and 80% at Burns (National Weather Service, 2017). | These climate figures are not eclipse-day observations, and the station records and cloud-detection methods have limitations. |
| Forecast timing | Short-range forecasts close to the event are more useful for site-specific cloud expectations than forecasts issued far in advance. | A forecast or regional pattern cannot guarantee a clear view. |
How to view an eclipse safely
During partial phases, use special solar-filtered eclipse glasses or properly filtered equipment. Ordinary sunglasses and homemade filters are unsafe. For a telescope, use a solar filter fitted over the front end of the instrument, not the eyepiece. Direct unfiltered viewing is safe only during the brief totality phase for observers within the path; the Sun’s bright face becomes dangerous to view again as totality ends.
Shopping ad
- 🎯 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘?! If you're reading this, then congratulations: you are one of the smart ones planning ahead of the upcoming eclipse on 12 Aug 2026 that won't be scrambling when they're sold out everywhere. We respect that. As the saying goes: "the future belongs to those who prepare for it today
- 🛡️ 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 & 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐈𝐒𝐎 𝟏𝟐𝟑𝟏𝟐-𝟐 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓: Every pair meets the international solar viewing safety standard required for direct sun observation. A typo on a small early batch displayed "12312-1" by mistake - this was a print error only, never a safety issue, and all current inventory prints the correct ISO 12312-2 standard
- 🔗 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒: Every pair arrives individually wrapped to stay clean, scratch-free, and ready to share, plus an attached lanyard keeps them securely around your neck between viewing moments. No more lost glasses, no more crushed pairs in your back pocket (yes, we've all done it).
- 🌒𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐏?𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄: Includes bonus solar camera filters that you hold over your phone lens while filming, so you can safely capture totality, the diamond ring, and partial phases without burning out your camera sensor.
- 💯 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐄𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒𝐄 𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄: If you're not 100% satisfied, we'll make it right. Tens of thousands of customers have trusted HELIOCLIPSE for safe solar viewing across previous eclipses. We've done this before, and we'll be doing it again on August 12, 2026, with you.
FAQ
Will clouds block the solar eclipse in Oregon?
Clouds can block a view at an individual site, but the available sources do not show that they broadly obscured the 2017 eclipse across Oregon. Conditions varied by place, and historical climate data cannot substitute for event-day observations.
What was the weather like for the 2017 Oregon eclipse?
Western Oregon commonly experiences morning marine stratus in summer, while some eastern Oregon stations have more favorable historical clear-sky frequencies. The evidence summarized here does not provide a statewide record of cloud conditions on eclipse morning.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Shopping ad
- TRUSTED BY MILLIONS - Soluna Glasses are made in the USA by NASA-approved manufacturer American Paper Optics, and are recognized as ISO-compliant by the American Astronomical Society. Join the millions of eclipse chasers that trusted Soluna Eclipse Glasses for the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse.
- CE AND ISO CERTIFIED FOR DIRECT SUN VIEWING - Our eclipse glasses have been independently tested and verified by ICS Laboratories under the most current standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E) for filters for direct observation of the sun. You can watch the total solar eclipse with absolute confidence in your eye safety.
- OPTIMIZED DESIGN - Soluna Glasses feature scratch-resistant Silver Polymer lens material with an optical density of 5 or greater. Our glasses filter 100% of harmful ultra-violet, 100% of harmful infrared, and 99.999% of intense visible light, offering both unparalleled safety and comfort for the best viewing experience.
- A COMFORTABLE FIT - These certified eclipse glasses are designed for teens and adults, featuring convenient crease lines on both sides for an easy, secure fit.
- 2023 ANNULAR AND 2024 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSES - On October 14th 2023, an annular eclipse (when the sun forms a ring around the moon) will cross the United States from Oregon to Texas. We will then experience a once-in-a-generation Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th 2024 - the only USA total eclipse until August 23rd, 2044. You will be amazed as the moon completely blocks the sun during Totality, which lasts but mere minutes. Soluna Glasses are what you need to safely view both of these eclipses.
Could you see the 2017 eclipse in Oregon?
Reports from Eugene, Madras, and Salem document eclipse effects or views at those locations. They show that the event was observed in Oregon, but do not tell us whether every viewer had a clear sky.
How long did totality last in Oregon?
Duration depended on distance from the path’s centerline. The NWS says it could last about 2 minutes 40 seconds near the centerline and less farther away.
Can I watch a partial eclipse with ordinary sunglasses?
No. Use certified solar-filtered eclipse glasses or appropriately filtered equipment. Ordinary sunglasses and homemade filters do not provide safe protection.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →
