Archived: 18 August 2026
Spain eclipse 2026: planning archive
The 12 August 2026 eclipse has ended. This page preserves the official forecast and operational guidance published before the event.
Next total eclipse in Spain: 2 August 2027
Historical timing varies by location
Totality occurred close to sunset and the circumstances varied by municipality. The official IGN eclipse viewer remains the authoritative source for the 2026 geometry.
Final pre-event AEMET forecast archive
Snapshot recorded on 10 August for 12:00–24:00 UTC (14:00–02:00 CEST), the period that contained totality:
- A Coruña: partly cloudy; 0% chance of precipitation.
- Oviedo: partly cloudy; 0% chance of precipitation.
- Burgos: clear; 0% chance of precipitation.
- Zaragoza: partly cloudy; 0% chance of precipitation.
- València: high cloud; 0% chance of precipitation.
- Palma: clear; 0% chance of precipitation.
This was a forecast, not a record of what each observer actually saw. The municipal product was automatic, each category summarised twelve hours and the percentages referred to precipitation—not the probability of seeing the eclipse.
Archived heat forecast
AEMET forecast daily highs of 37°C in Burgos, 40°C in Zaragoza, 36°C in Palma and 33°C in València. These were daily maximum forecasts—not temperatures for eclipse time—and are preserved here only as part of the pre-event record.
Historical operational context
- Traffic: DGT confirmed an extraordinary operation for the large concentrations expected inside the path of totality.
- Site: IGN stressed checking the exact municipality and finding a completely unobstructed western horizon.
Archived Formentor access warning
Before the eclipse, DGT warned that the normal Formentor access restrictions could change for the event. The lighthouse road was limited to authorised vehicles and beach access closed when parking reached capacity. This notice is preserved as historical planning context; consult the current official Formentor access status for future travel.
Pre-event checklist preserved for reference
- Confirm totality: enter the exact site in the IGN viewer and save an offline screenshot.
- Check the western horizon: the Sun will be very low, so buildings, trees or terrain can hide the critical phase.
- Review AEMET: compare cloud, storm and wind forecasts for your primary site and two nearby alternatives.
- Avoid improvised travel: DGT expects major concentrations and special traffic measures. Prefer public transport, arrive early and wait before departing.
- Download essentials: offline maps, tickets, accommodation details, AlertCops and emergency numbers.
Eye safety: no shortcuts
Solar viewers should come from a reputable manufacturer or authorised dealer and conform to ISO 12312-2. An “ISO” mark printed on a product is not proof that it was properly tested. Inspect every viewer and discard it if scratched, punctured, torn or otherwise damaged.
- Ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass, X-rays and homemade filters are unsafe.
- Never use binoculars, a telescope or a camera without a solar filter secured over the front of the optics.
- Only observers inside the path may remove viewers during complete totality; replace them as soon as any bright Sun reappears.
- Supervise children throughout the observation.