A near-total lunar eclipse Thursday night will prove to be quite a show for the eastern United States. The more pressing question for the tri-state area, though, is whether clouds, showers and storms will block our view. The eclipse begins Thursday evening at 9:23 p.m. in New York City, when the full moon begins to enter the Earth’s penumbra – or outer “partial” shadow.  It won’t be too impressive in the first hour, but by 10:33 p.m., the moon will begin to pass through the Earth’s umbra, or main shadow.  The eclipse will peak at 12:12 a.m. Friday, when 96% of the moon will be in the umbra, taking on a deep red hue.  After that, the moon will slowly exit the Earth’s shadow and return to its normal bright, greyish color. With all the excitement happening in the heavens, will anyone in the tri-state be able to see it?  It’s doubtful.  A cold front will be approaching the region during the day Thursday.  Long-range forecast models depict showers, storms, and the clouds that come with them, up and down the East Coast into the evening hours. Short-range forecast models, which are more detailed than long-range models, are just beginning to generate forecasts as far out as Thursday night. They don’t project as many showers and storms, but are certainly bullish on clouds. Through the peak of the eclipse at midnight, clouds will likely be thick enough that you can consider yourself lucky to find a break in the overcast to glimpse the blood-red moon. If you’re willing to travel, the Great Lakes Region may be the closest clear viewing will be more of a sure thing. Of course, the forecast will change as the eclipse gets closer, so be sure to check with StormTeam 4 for updates.  Just don’t get your hopes too high that you’ll have an unobstructed view of the action Thursday night. ...read more read less