Valls
41.286°, 1.250° · 223 m a.s.l.
Marginal
Marginal: only 1.27° between the Sun and the local skyline at C3.
75/100Very good
100%
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Valls minute by minute
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Photo: Santi Gomà · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Valls
Valls is a municipality of some 25,000 inhabitants located in the Camp de Tarragona region, province of Tarragona, in Catalonia. At an altitude of 223 metres above sea level, the city occupies the centre of the Francolí river plain, surrounded by vineyards and almond groves. Internationally recognized for its tradition of castellers—the human tower formations declared an Intangible Heritage of Humanity—Valls acts as a service hub for inner Tarragona.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Valls will lie in the path of totality of the solar eclipse. The moment of greatest obscuration will arrive at 20:29 local time, when the Sun will already be very close to the western horizon, at just 4.4 degrees above the horizon. This position leaves a margin of barely 1.2 degrees over the topographic horizon, making the visibility of totality marginal: any natural or artificial obstacle to the west-northwest could prevent seeing the minutes of the solar corona. It is recommended to seek an elevated location with a clear horizon in that direction.
The weather in August
August is the warmest month of the year in Valls. The average temperature hovers around 24.7 °C, with highs that regularly reach 30.9 °C during the day and lows of 18.5 °C at night. Precipitation is scarce—around 24.7 mm average monthly—but the risk of convective thunderstorm is moderate: the hot afternoons of inner Catalonia can generate towering cumulonimbus clouds that would cloud the view in the hours before the eclipse. Data: AEMET, 1991–2020 series.
Past eclipses
Valls has memory of great eclipses. On 8 July 1842—184 years ago—the city witnessed a total solar eclipse with approximately one minute of totality, one of the most remembered astronomical events of the 19th century on the Iberian Peninsula. The last annular eclipse dates from 11 November 1901, 125 years ago. After the 2026 eclipse, one must wait until 13 July 2075 to see an annular eclipse, and until 17 November 2180 for the next total.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, the Sun will be positioned at an azimuth of 286 degrees—almost due west, with a slight tilt towards the northwest—and at just 4.4 degrees above the horizon line. This height is roughly equivalent to the width of four fingers held at arm's length. The Sun will descend rapidly towards sunset, so the eclipse will unfold with an orange-coloured ambient light characteristic of dusk and a very low horizon.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Valls
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:35 UTC | 19:35 | +14.4° | 277.3° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +4.5° | 285.9° |
| Maximum | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +4.5° | 285.9° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +4.4° | 286.0° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:20 UTC | 21:20 | -4.1° | 294.4° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (294.4°)
Azimuth at C4
294.4° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.12°
Terrain horizon
3.14°
Sun−terrain margin
+1.27°
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 Valls
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tossal de la BaltasanaIn the Sun's direction | 1200.9 m | 21.0 km | 282° WNW |
| la MoletaIn the Sun's direction | 1195.7 m | 20.3 km | 283° WNW |
| Roca del GríngolIn the Sun's direction | 1177.6 m | 20.0 km | 284° WNW |
| Punta de les CatalanesIn the Sun's direction | 1155.5 m | 21.5 km | 284° WNW |
| Mola d'EstatIn the Sun's direction | 1127.3 m | 16.5 km | 285° WNW |
| Mola del GuerxetIn the Sun's direction | 1121.2 m | 16.2 km | 291° WNW |
| Mola dels Quatre TermesIn the Sun's direction | 1118.3 m | 16.2 km | 288° WNW |
| Taula dels Quatre BatllesIn the Sun's direction | 1117.7 m | 16.1 km | 287° WNW |
Weather in Valls in August
Avg. temp.
24.7°C
Max / min
30.9° / 18.5°
Precipitation
24.7 mm
Storm risk
Medium
Station VALLS, 1 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
8%
Median cloud cover
18%
P75 — cloudier days
45%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Valls
- Last total eclipseJuly 8, 1842184 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 Valls
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Valls?
Yes, but marginally: with 100% obscuration, the topographic horizon from Valls is very close to the Sun's altitude at the end.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Valls?
Maximum occurs at 20:29 local time (18:29 UTC) in Valls.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Valls?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Valls.
How long does totality last in Valls?
Totality lasts 0 min 44 s in Valls (C2 to C3).
Is Valls a good place to watch the eclipse?
Valls 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 Valls
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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