Melilla
35.294°, -2.938° · 14 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 93% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 2.46° at peak.
60/100Good
93%
Partial eclipse · 93% obscuration
See the eclipse from Melilla minute by minute
Compare locations, save your plan and enable cloud alerts.
Photo: JJ Merelo · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Melilla
Melilla is a Spanish autonomous city located on the north coast of Africa, nestled along the Mediterranean coast of the Moroccan Rif. Home to roughly 86,000 inhabitants and standing at barely 14 meters above sea level, the city occupies a small rocky peninsula that has historically served as a meeting point between Europe and the African continent. Its territory, completely surrounded by Morocco, makes it one of two Spanish autonomous cities in North Africa.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Melilla will experience a partial solar eclipse with its maximum at 20:39 local time. At that moment the Sun will be just 4.1° above the horizon, facing west-northwest (azimuth 285°), with a margin of only 2.5° from the topographic horizon. Observation will be possible from locations with clear western horizons, though the Sun's low altitude will require finding a vantage point unobstructed toward the west.
The weather in August
August in Melilla is warm and dry, with an average temperature of 26.3°C, highs around 29.6°C and lows of 23°C. Precipitation is virtually nonexistent—barely 4.4 mm on average—and the month accumulates about 279 hours of sunlight. The risk of thunderstorms is low and the probability of clear skies hovers around 67%, making August one of the most stable months of the year for astronomical observation. Data: AEMET (1991–2020).
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Melilla occurred on December 22, 1870, 156 years ago, with totality lasting only 53 seconds. There is no record of a prior annular eclipse. After the eclipses of 2026 and 2028, observers will have to wait until July 6, 2187 to see the next total eclipse from the city; the next annular eclipse will arrive sooner, on April 1, 2136, with an obscuration of 88.1%.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of eclipse maximum, at 20:39, the Sun is positioned at azimuth 285°, that is, toward the west-northwest, slightly north of due west. Its altitude above the horizon is merely 4.1°, equivalent to just over the width of eight full moons stacked together. The sun will have already begun its descent toward sunset, making the west-facing orientation the decisive factor for choosing an adequate observation point.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Melilla
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:45 UTC | 19:45 | +14.8° | 277.9° |
| Maximum | 18:39 UTC | 20:39 | +4.1° | 285.4° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:30 UTC | 21:30 | -5.3° | 292.8° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (292.8°)
Azimuth at C4
292.8° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-5.33°
Terrain horizon
1.63°
Sun−terrain margin
+2.46°
What the contact points (C1-C4) mean
A solar eclipse is described by four key moments, the contact points between the discs of the Sun and the Moon:
- C1First contact: the Moon touches the edge of the Sun and the partial eclipse begins.
- C2Second contact: the Moon fully covers the Sun and totality begins.
- C3Third contact: the Sun reappears and totality ends.
- C4Fourth contact: the Moon leaves the Sun's disc and the eclipse ends.
Where the eclipse is only partial, the Moon never fully covers the Sun: only C1 and C4 occur, with no totality in between.
Peaks near Melilla
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mont Gourougou ⴰⴷⵔⴰⵔ ⴻⵏ ⴳⵓⵔⴳⵓ جبل كوروكو | 890 m | 9.7 km | 213° SSW |
| Tidinnît | 572 m | 23.1 km | 223° SW |
| La Puntilla رأس الصغير | — | 13.0 km | 329° NNW |
| Azrou Hammar ⴰⵥⵔⵡ ⴻⵏ ⵀⴻⵎⵎⴰⵔ أزرو همار | — | 16.6 km | 204° SSW |
Weather in Melilla in August
Avg. temp.
26.3°C
Max / min
29.6° / 23°
Precipitation
4.4 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station MELILLA, 3 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
2%
P75 — cloudier days
6%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Melilla
- Last total eclipseDecember 22, 1870156 years ago
- Next total eclipseJuly 6, 2187
- Next annular eclipseApril 1, 2136
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Melilla
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Melilla?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 93% covered at maximum from Melilla.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Melilla?
Maximum occurs at 20:39 local time (18:39 UTC) in Melilla.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Melilla?
Look WNW (azimuth 285°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Melilla.
Is Melilla a good place to watch the eclipse?
Melilla is a good option (score 60/100): all eclipse phases are visible, though not the regional optimum.
Do I need special glasses to watch the eclipse?
Yes, you need ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses during every partial phase. Regular sunglasses do NOT protect. Glasses can only be removed during the totality phase (when the Sun is fully covered); never during annular or partial eclipses. Pages flagged "visible" assume a clear horizon, not a viewing recommendation.
Nearby cities
All cities in Melilla →Where to stay in Melilla
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
Search lodging on Booking →Affiliate link · no extra cost to you
Embed this eclipse on your site
Generate the code to embed the eclipse widget on your hotel, town hall or blog website.
<iframe src="https://eclipses.app/embed/widget?lat=35.2937&lon=-2.9383&size=standard&theme=dark&locale=en" width="320" height="340" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="Eclipse 2026"></iframe>Share it to help others find out if they'll see the eclipse