Wednesday eclipse update: National Weather Service says Monday will be warm, likely cloudy

The National Weather Service provided its first significant forecast for April 8, and they’re on the fence when it comes to cloud cover we could see for the 1:27 p.m. total eclipse. Here’s their key points: 

• The forecast shows a weather pattern over the weekend and on April 8 that is generally favorable for cloud cover and possible rain. 
• However, details on two main features that will influence where exactly the cloud cover and rain chances end up across Texas are still uncertain. 
• Cloud cover forecasts, even at five days out, are difficult to predict, especially over an eclipse window of only a few hours. Expect fluctuations in cloud cover forecasts over the next few days. 
• In Spring, the forecast can change quickly. We will continue fine-tuning the cloud cover forecast and the timing of rain/storm chances. 
• High temperatures over the weekend and April 8 are forecast to be in the 80s, with lows in the 50s and 60s.

Kerrville Police Department update

Kerrville Police Chief Chris McCall stormed onto The Lead Live on Wednesday to share updates about what’s happening this week. Some of his takeaways were: 

• The city and the Texas Department of Transportation will work to have all traffic lights on Sidney Baker Street — between Interstate 10 and Sidney Baker Bridge — flashing red to give traffic officers discretion on how to handle the traffic flow out of the city. 
• TxDOT hired 26 contract police officers to complement the Kerrville Police Department with traffic control officers along Sidney Baker Street. 
• McCall said one concern is people pulling off Interstate 10 and watching the event. He cited the 2017 total eclipse, which crossed from the Pacific Northwest to the Southeast, as an example. The chief said the Texas Department of Public Safety is adding more state troopers to manage traffic on Interstate 10 in Kerr and Kendall counties. 
• TxDOT could use a moving roadblock to push eastbound Interstate 10 traffic to the far left lane, allowing traffic to merge smoothly onto the freeway from Sidney Baker Street. 

Ingram bakery already experiencing a rush of visitors

Ingram’s 323 Bakery is already experiencing the impact of eclipse-related visitors. Owner Kristen Liskey said her small bakery is seeing an influx of visitors from timeshares that are part of the Wyndham resorts between Ingram and Hunt. 

“They’re mostly looking for bread and cupcakes,” said Liskey, who offers a significant array of gluten-free and gluten-rich options. The bakery will be open for Monday’s big day. 

And if you really wanted to see a rush

Kerrville’s H-E-B stores were jam-packed with residents buying up essentials ahead of the eclipse. At 3 p.m. on Wednesday, all checkout lines at the small H-E-B on Sidney Baker South were open and with lines. Earlier in the day, people reported long wait times at the Main Street store.