DALLAS — Viewing conditions for next month’s total solar eclipse are expected to be “cloudier than normal,” the National Weather Service said Friday morning.

The rare celestial event will take place April 8. It is expected to begin about 12:23 p.m. and last until just after 3 p.m., with totality — or total coverage of the sun — lasting from 1:40 to 1:44 p.m.

The weather service said the current outlook is trending cloudier than what historical data show is typical for April 8, with a 30% chance for favorable viewing conditions.

“Confidence is increasing that an active weather pattern may bring moisture and cloud cover with a chance of rain around the day of the eclipse,” NWS officials said.

With the event still being 10 days out, NWS noted the full forecast is “uncertain” and that the initial outlook does not mean the eclipse won’t be visible.