02/16/2026
IN 6 DAYS, FEBRUARY 17, 2026, THE RING OF FIRE ECLIPSE WILL SWEEP ACROSS THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, AND YOUR EXACT VIEWING EXPERIENCE DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON YOUR LOCATION. If you are within the narrow 125-mile-wide path of annularity, you will witness the full Ring of Fire — the Moon perfectly centered over the Sun, leaving a blazing annulus of photosphere visible for up to 4 minutes and 52 seconds. If you are outside the path, even by just a few miles, you will see only a partial eclipse with varying coverage percentages. Here is a city-by-city breakdown of eclipse timing, duration, and current weather forecasts to help you finalize your viewing location and backup plans.
CITIES WITHIN THE PATH OF ANNULARITY (Full Ring of Fire visible):
REDDING, CALIFORNIA: First contact 8:53 AM PST, annularity begins 9:46 AM PST, maximum duration 3 minutes 18 seconds, annularity ends 9:49 AM PST, fourth contact 10:56 AM PST. The eclipse begins at sunrise in Redding, with the Sun low on the eastern horizon. Observers will need an unobstructed view to the east and should position themselves on elevated terrain or open fields. Weather forecast as of February 11: 60% chance of morning clouds or fog, with clearing possible by mid-morning. Recommended backup: drive east into Nevada if clouds threaten.
RENO, NEVADA: First contact 8:57 AM PST, annularity begins 9:51 AM PST, maximum duration 4 minutes 12 seconds, annularity ends 9:55 AM PST, fourth contact 11:01 AM PST. Reno sits near the centerline of the path, offering one of the longest annular durations in the western U.S. Weather forecast: 85% chance of clear skies, light winds, excellent conditions. Reno is statistically one of the safest bets for clear viewing in the entire path.
FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA: First contact 9:04 AM MST, annularity begins 10:00 AM MST, maximum duration 4 minutes 28 seconds (near maximum for the entire eclipse), annularity ends 10:04 AM MST, fourth contact 11:12 AM MST. Flagstaff sits almost exactly on the centerline, providing the longest annular phase in Arizona. Weather forecast: 90% chance of clear skies, cold morning temperatures (around 30°F), no clouds expected. Flagstaff is the most reliable viewing location in the Southwest.
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO: First contact 9:07 AM MST, annularity begins 10:04 AM MST, maximum duration 4 minutes 20 seconds, annularity ends 10:08 AM MST, fourth contact 11:17 AM MST. Albuquerque is well within the path, with excellent high-desert visibility and minimal light pollution in surrounding areas. Weather forecast: 80% chance of clear skies, light winds, temperatures around 40°F at eclipse time.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS: First contact 9:15 AM CST, annularity begins 10:14 AM CST, maximum duration 3 minutes 52 seconds, annularity ends 10:18 AM CST, fourth contact 11:29 AM CST. San Antonio sits near the southern edge of the path, where the ring will appear slightly asymmetric but still complete. Weather forecast: 70% chance of clear skies, possible high clouds, temperatures around 55°F.
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS: First contact 9:18 AM CST, annularity begins 10:18 AM CST, maximum duration 3 minutes 10 seconds, annularity ends 10:21 AM CST, fourth contact 11:34 AM CST. The eclipse exits the U.S. mainland shortly after passing Corpus Christi, making this one of the last major cities to see the full Ring of Fire. Weather forecast: 65% chance of clear skies, potential for Gulf moisture and haze, humidity may reduce visibility slightly.
CITIES OUTSIDE THE PATH (Partial eclipse only):
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Maximum eclipse 9:52 AM PST, 85% of the Sun covered. Los Angeles will experience a deep partial eclipse, with the Sun appearing as a thick crescent at maximum. The ring will not form. Weather forecast: 50% chance of coastal clouds or marine layer, clearing possible by mid-morning.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (city center): Maximum eclipse 10:01 AM MST, 92% of the Sun covered. Downtown Phoenix sits just south of the path, missing the annular phase by about 15 miles. Observers who drive north to Anthem, Cave Creek, or Scottsdale's northern edge will enter the path and see the full ring. Weather forecast: 95% chance of clear skies, excellent conditions.
DENVER, COLORADO: Maximum eclipse 10:09 AM MST, 78% of the Sun covered. Denver is well outside the path, seeing only a partial eclipse. Weather forecast: 40% chance of clear skies, with potential for morning snow showers. Not recommended as a primary viewing location.
DALLAS, TEXAS: Maximum eclipse 10:15 AM CST, 92% of the Sun covered. Dallas sits just north of the path. Observers who drive south to Waco, Temple, or Austin will enter the path. Weather forecast: 75% chance of clear skies, mild temperatures.
HOUSTON, TEXAS: Maximum eclipse 10:20 AM CST, 88% of the Sun covered. Houston is outside the path but close enough that driving west toward San Antonio or north toward College Station will place observers within the annular zone. Weather forecast: 60% chance of clear skies, Gulf moisture may bring haze.
WEATHER TRENDS AND BACKUP PLANNING: As of February 11, the most reliable clear-sky locations are Flagstaff, Arizona (90% clear), Reno, Nevada (85% clear), and Albuquerque, New Mexico (80% clear). Coastal California and the Gulf Coast face higher cloud risks. If you are planning to travel, monitor weather forecasts daily starting February 14 and be prepared to adjust your location by 50-100 miles if necessary. The path is wide enough that lateral shifts (north or south along the centerline) will still keep you within the annular zone while allowing you to chase clearer skies.
TIMING ADVICE: Arrive at your viewing location at least one hour before first contact to set up equipment, test eclipse glasses, and scout backup positions. Do not wait until the last minute — traffic into prime viewing areas will be heavy, and parking will fill quickly. If clouds threaten your primary location, have a secondary site identified within a 30-60 minute drive.
The Ring of Fire crosses the U.S. in six days. If you are within driving distance of the path and have February 17 available, there is no reason to watch a 92% partial eclipse when you could drive two hours and see the full annular event. The next opportunity will not arrive until 2039.
Do you know your exact viewing time yet?
