As the eclipse approaches, it’s all eyes on the weather. One question looms large in the minds of many — what will happen if it rains?

As of Monday, weather.com reported sunny skies for Aug. 21 and only a 10 percent chance of rain. The last major possibility for rain will be an 80 percent chance Thursday, Aug. 17, according to the website.

But only days before, the odds for cloud coverage on Eclipse Day reached up to 50 percent.

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“If it’s light rain, cloudy, we still have a show to put on,” University Spokesperson Rae Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith said the university does have a plan in place but said she does not expect inclement weather to occur. She said if lightning begins to strike, the SIU Stadium will be evacuated.

The Carbondale Civic Center will have a cooling station, chairs and a live-stream of the eclipse from NASA, according to Carbondale Public Relations Officer Amy Fox. She said those stations will be available regardless of weather, but are expected to be more heavily utilized if bad weather occurs.

Moonstock, a four-day festival at Walker’s Bluff headlined by Ozzy Osbourne, will also continue rain or shine, Public Relations Coordinator Emily Burke said.

“I think we’re pretty good as far as weather goes,” Goldsmith said, referencing predictions of sunny weather.

Staff writer Cory Ray can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @coryray_de.

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