Mérida
38.918°, -6.343° · 223 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 97% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 8.39° at peak.
75/100Very good
97%
Partial eclipse · 97% obscuration
See the eclipse from Mérida minute by minute
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Photo: Tomás Fano · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Mérida
Mérida, capital of Extremadura, sits in the middle basin of the Guadiana River in the province of Badajoz, at 223 meters above sea level. With almost 60,000 inhabitants, it is one of the largest cities in the region. Its position on the Extremaduran plateau, surrounded by dehesas and fertile lowlands, gives it an open landscape with broad horizons, favorable for astronomical observation. The modern municipality was established in 1834, although its history as a settlement dates back to Roman colonization.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Mérida will experience a partial solar eclipse. Maximum occurs at 20:34 local time, with the Sun toward the west-northwest at an azimuth of 282° and 8.4° above the geometric horizon. The clearance relative to the topographic horizon is also 8.4°, indicating the Sun will be clearly visible from an observatory with an open view in that direction. It is recommended to seek a location with clear views to the west.
The weather in August
August in Mérida is the warmest month of the year. According to AEMET climatological data (1991–2020 period), the average temperature hovers around 26.6 °C, with highs typically exceeding 35 °C during the day and lows around 17.8 °C at night. Precipitation is scarce, averaging just 5.9 mm per month, and the risk of storms is low. Overall, August is one of the driest and sunniest months in the Extremaduran basin.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Mérida occurred on July 8, 1842, 184 years ago, with totality lasting just over two minutes. Before that, on April 1, 1764, an annular eclipse covered 86.9% of the Sun's disk for more than six minutes. After the eclipses of 2026 and 2028, the next annular eclipse will not be visible from the city until December 8, 2113, and the following total eclipse won't occur until the year 2327.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum eclipse, at 20:34, the Sun will be nearly due west-northwest with an azimuth of 282°. At that time it will be 8.4° above the horizon, roughly equivalent to the width of a fist at arm's length. The Sun will descend gradually as the afternoon progresses; it is advisable to position yourself in a location without obstacles to the west to maintain unobstructed visibility throughout the partial phase.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Mérida
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:39 UTC | 19:39 | +19.2° | 273.9° |
| Maximum | 18:35 UTC | 20:35 | +8.4° | 282.3° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:27 UTC | 21:27 | -0.8° | 290.4° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (290.4°)
Azimuth at C4
290.4° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-0.83°
Terrain horizon
0.03°
Sun−terrain margin
+8.39°
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 Mérida
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro de la Culebra | 480 m | 16.3 km | 154° SSE |
| Cerro del Madroñal | 384 m | 15.8 km | 53° NE |
Weather in Mérida in August
Avg. temp.
26.6°C
Max / min
35.3° / 17.8°
Precipitation
5.9 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station MÉRIDA, 4 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
0%
P75 — cloudier days
3%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Mérida
- Last total eclipseJuly 8, 1842184 years ago
- Last annular eclipseApril 1, 1764262 years ago
- Next total eclipseJune 20, 2327
- Next annular eclipseDecember 8, 2113
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Mérida
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Mérida?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 97% covered at maximum from Mérida.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Mérida?
Maximum occurs at 20:35 local time (18:35 UTC) in Mérida.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Mérida?
Look WNW (azimuth 282°); the Sun will be 8° above the horizon at maximum from Mérida.
Is Mérida a good place to watch the eclipse?
Yes, Mérida is an excellent choice (score 75/100): favorable geometry, clear horizon, and good August climatology.
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 Extremadura →Where to stay in Mérida
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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<iframe src="https://eclipses.app/embed/widget?lat=38.9180&lon=-6.3429&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