Ponferrada
42.547°, -6.596° · 519 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 9.40° at C3.
90/100Excellent
100%
You'll see full totality. C3 — the end of totality — is visible above the horizon.
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Ponferrada minute by minute
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Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Bolado~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
About Ponferrada
Ponferrada is the capital of the Bierzo region, a comarca located in the far western part of León province, in Castilla y León. Home to nearly 69,000 inhabitants at an altitude of 519 metres, the city sits at the confluence of the Sil and Boeza rivers, surrounded by mountains that shape a landscape of sheltered valleys. Its position in the northwest of the Castilian plateau gives it a transitional climate between Atlantic and continental influences.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Ponferrada will lie within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. Totality will occur with the Sun at just 10.3° above the horizon, in the west-northwest direction (azimuth 281°). That low angle is a significant constraint: the margin above the topographic horizon is 9.4°, so it is important to choose a location with no obstructions in that direction. Maximum occurs at 20:29 local time.
The weather in August
August in Ponferrada is dry and sunny. The average temperature is around 22 °C, with typical highs of 29–30 °C and cool lows around 14 °C. The month records more than 322 hours of sunshine and only about 21 mm of rainfall, translating to a 78 % chance of clear skies. The risk of thunderstorms is moderate, concentrated in the central hours of the day; afternoons—when the eclipse will occur—are typically stable. Data: AEMET (1991–2020).
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Ponferrada occurred on 30 August 1905, 121 years ago, with totality lasting just over one minute. More recently, on 3 October 2005, an annular eclipse covered 90 % of the solar disk. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, it will not be until 27 February 2082 that an annular eclipse crosses this latitude again.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum totality, the Sun will be nearly at the west-northwest horizon, with an azimuth of 281° and an altitude of just 10.3°. That low position requires a completely clear line of sight in that direction: even the gentlest ridge or a row of trees could block the view. Plan ahead by facing west-northwest and verifying the horizon from your chosen location to make the most of totality.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Ponferrada
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:32 UTC | 19:32 | +20.7° | 271.4° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:28 UTC | 20:28 | +10.5° | 280.5° |
| Maximum | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +10.4° | 280.7° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:30 UTC | 20:30 | +10.3° | 280.8° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:22 UTC | 21:22 | +1.2° | 289.4° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (289.4°)
Azimuth at C4
289.4° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
1.24°
Terrain horizon
0.87°
Sun−terrain margin
+9.40°
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 Ponferrada
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabeza de Yegua | 2142 m | 16.6 km | 165° SSE |
| Alto de las Berdiaínas | 2116 m | 16.5 km | 169° SSE |
| Pico Tuerto | 2051 m | 15.0 km | 172° S |
| El Morredero | 2031 m | 17.1 km | 162° SSE |
| Cruz Mayor | 2024 m | 16.8 km | 178° S |
| Meruelas | 2020.6 m | 19.2 km | 155° SSE |
| Cerro Coballos | 2012 m | 22.5 km | 151° SSE |
| Pico de las Yeguas | 1893 m | 23.2 km | 208° SSW |
Weather in Ponferrada in August
Avg. temp.
21.7°C
Max / min
29.5° / 14°
Precipitation
21.3 mm
Storm risk
Medium
Station PONFERRADA, 2 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
58%
P75 — cloudier days
86%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Ponferrada
- Last total eclipseAugust 30, 1905121 years ago
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 years ago
- Next annular eclipseFebruary 27, 2082
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Ponferrada
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Ponferrada?
Yes — Ponferrada is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Ponferrada?
Maximum occurs at 20:29 local time (18:29 UTC) in Ponferrada.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Ponferrada?
Look West (azimuth 281°); the Sun will be 10° above the horizon at maximum from Ponferrada.
How long does totality last in Ponferrada?
Totality lasts 1 min 31 s in Ponferrada (C2 to C3).
Is Ponferrada a good place to watch the eclipse?
Yes, Ponferrada is an excellent choice (score 90/100): 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 Castile and León →Where to stay in Ponferrada
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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