Tortosa
40.812°, 0.522° · 18 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 1.98° at C3.
85/100Very good
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 Tortosa minute by minute
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Photo: Manel Zaera · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Tortosa
Tortosa is a municipality of some 35,000 inhabitants in the province of Tarragona, Catalonia, situated on the banks of the Ebro river a few kilometers before its mouth into the delta. At 18 meters above sea level, it sits on a plain in the south of the autonomous community where Mediterranean climate brings hot, dry summers. The flat terrain surrounding the city offers clear views toward the western and northwestern horizon.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Tortosa will lie within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. Maximum will occur at 20:30, with the Sun at 4.6° above the horizon, giving a margin of 2° over the topographic horizon—sufficient for the corona to be visible from the city. At that moment the Sun will be positioned west-northwest (azimuth 286°), so it is best to choose a location free of obstructions in that direction.
The weather in August
August in Tortosa is hot: AEMET records an average temperature of 27 °C, with highs reaching 33 °C and lows near 21 °C. The month accumulates roughly 291 hours of sunshine and the probability of clear skies is around 70 %. Average precipitation is 27.9 mm, but the risk of thunderstorms is high, especially on hot afternoons; an afternoon storm could compromise visibility during the eclipse's key hours. Data: AEMET (1991–2020).
Past eclipses
The last total solar eclipse visible from Tortosa occurred on August 30, 1905, 121 years ago, with a totality lasting nearly three minutes. Years earlier, on November 11, 1901, an annular eclipse covered 82 % of the solar disk. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027, and 2028, the next annular will not occur until July 13, 2075, and the next total not until November 17, 2180.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum, at 20:30, the Sun will be 4.6° above the horizon pointing west-northwest, at an azimuth of 286°. This low position bathes totality in the warm light of sunset and creates sharp contrast between the darkened sky overhead and a still-luminous horizon. For unobstructed viewing, the best approach is to position yourself at an elevated spot or with broad views toward the west.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Tortosa
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:35 UTC | 19:35 | +14.7° | 277.1° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +4.8° | 285.5° |
| Maximum | 18:30 UTC | 20:30 | +4.7° | 285.7° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:31 UTC | 20:31 | +4.6° | 285.8° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:21 UTC | 21:21 | -4.0° | 294.1° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (294.1°)
Azimuth at C4
294.1° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-3.98°
Terrain horizon
2.58°
Sun−terrain margin
+1.98°
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 Tortosa
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caro | 1441 m | 15.1 km | 266° W |
| Moleta Rodona | 1362.5 m | 15.8 km | 265° W |
| la Barcina | 1353.9 m | 13.5 km | 271° W |
| les Mirandes | 1351 m | 20.6 km | 252° WSW |
| Mola dels Conills | 1349 m | 20.5 km | 252° WSW |
| Catinell | 1348 m | 20.4 km | 253° WSW |
| Cim del Maturi | 1347.2 m | 17.8 km | 259° W |
| Mola de la Bota | 1345 m | 20.6 km | 250° WSW |
Weather in Tortosa in August
Avg. temp.
27°C
Max / min
33.1° / 20.9°
Precipitation
27.9 mm
Storm risk
High
Station ESTACIÓN DE TORTOSA (ROQUETES), 3 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
1%
Median cloud cover
5%
P75 — cloudier days
38%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Tortosa
- Last total eclipseAugust 30, 1905121 years ago
- Last annular eclipseNovember 11, 1901125 years ago
- Next total eclipseNovember 17, 2180
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Tortosa
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Tortosa?
Yes — Tortosa is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Tortosa?
Maximum occurs at 20:30 local time (18:30 UTC) in Tortosa.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Tortosa?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 5° above the horizon at maximum from Tortosa.
How long does totality last in Tortosa?
Totality lasts 1 min 34 s in Tortosa (C2 to C3).
Is Tortosa a good place to watch the eclipse?
Tortosa 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 Catalonia →Where to stay in Tortosa
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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