Paterna
39.503°, -0.441° · 60 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 4.17° at C3.
90/100Excellent
100%
You'll see full totality, but the Sun will set before the partial phase ends — an unusually epic finale.
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Paterna minute by minute
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Photo: Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez (Qoan) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Paterna
Paterna is a municipality in the province of Valencia, integrated into the metropolitan area of the Valencian capital, with a population of around 64,000 inhabitants. It lies just 60 metres above sea level, in the flat plain of the Turia corridor, northwest of the city of Valencia. Its geographic position in the heart of the Valencian Community makes it a point with easy access to the main approaches and viewpoints of the region.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Paterna lies within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. Maximum occurs at 20:32 (local time), when the Moon completely covers the solar disk for about 105 seconds. At that moment, the Sun will be only 4.5° above the horizon, meaning that any obstruction to the west-northwest — buildings, trees, or terrain — could compromise the view. The margin relative to the computed topographic horizon is 4.2°, so it is advisable to find a clear vantage point in that direction.
The weather in August
August in Paterna is warm and dry: average temperature hovers around 26 °C, with highs regularly exceeding 31 °C and lows around 21 °C. AEMET climate data (1991–2020 period) reflects a 72 % probability of clear skies and an average of more than 300 hours of sunshine per month. Mean precipitation is just 11.6 mm, although there is a moderate risk of afternoon thunderstorms, more frequent towards the end of the month. Overall, conditions are favourable for observation.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Paterna took place on 18 July 1860, 166 years ago, with a totality lasting just over a minute and three-quarters. More recently, on 3 October 2005, an annular eclipse covered 90.4 % of the solar disk for slightly less than four minutes. After the 2026 eclipse, the next such event to reach this area will not occur until 13 July 2075, in the form of an annular eclipse.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of eclipse maximum, at 20:32, the Sun is at 286° azimuth, an orientation corresponding to west-northwest. Its altitude above the horizon is merely 4.5°, equivalent to just over a fist-width at arm's length. This low position, nearly at horizon level, gives the event a visually singular character, but demands a completely unobstructed line of sight in that direction.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Paterna
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:38 UTC | 19:38 | +14.8° | 277.2° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +4.7° | 285.4° |
| Maximum | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +4.6° | 285.5° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:33 UTC | 20:33 | +4.5° | 285.6° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:24 UTC | 21:24 | -4.2° | 293.7° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (293.7°)
Azimuth at C4
293.7° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.24°
Terrain horizon
0.36°
Sun−terrain margin
+4.17°
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 Paterna
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penya Roja | 831 m | 24.3 km | 355° N |
| Alto del Sapo | 827 m | 23.7 km | 356° N |
| Penyes Altes | 819 m | 24.5 km | 353° N |
| Alto del Hombre Muerto | 816 m | 23.9 km | 355° N |
| els Rebalsadors | 801 m | 21.8 km | 358° N |
| Cerro de la Mata | 753 m | 22.6 km | 353° N |
| Alt de la Nevera | 740 m | 23.9 km | 359° N |
| el Cierro | 737 m | 22.5 km | 3° N |
Weather in Paterna in August
Avg. temp.
26.3°C
Max / min
31.2° / 21.3°
Precipitation
11.6 mm
Storm risk
Medium
Station VALENCIA AEROPUERTO, 4 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
14%
Median cloud cover
27%
P75 — cloudier days
45%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Paterna
- Last total eclipseJuly 18, 1860166 years ago
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 years ago
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Paterna
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Paterna?
Yes — Paterna is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Paterna?
Maximum occurs at 20:32 local time (18:32 UTC) in Paterna.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Paterna?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 5° above the horizon at maximum from Paterna.
How long does totality last in Paterna?
Totality lasts 1 min 7 s in Paterna (C2 to C3).
Is Paterna a good place to watch the eclipse?
Paterna will see totality (C2-C3) very close to the western horizon. The partial end (C4) falls below the horizon: you need a clear western view for an epic experience.
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 Valencian Community →Where to stay in Paterna
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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