The countdown is almost over for one of the most anticipated astronomical events in years.

On Wednesday, August 12, a solar eclipse will occur above Spain, but will the weather cooperate?

State meteorological agency Aemet, working with the National Geographic Institute (IGN), has now published its special forecast for the event.

The good news is that much of Spain is expected to enjoy clear or mostly clear skies, although the picture across Andalucia is somewhat more complicated.

Clouds are forecast across parts of Sevilla, Cordoba and Jaen, particularly around the Guadalquivir valley, with some cloud also expected farther south and around parts of the Costa del Sol.

However, much of this is expected to be high cloud – which AEMET says should still allow people to see the eclipse.

Where could there be clouds in Andalucia?

In Almeria, high cloud is forecast around Los Velez, potentially developing into mid-level cloud.

Similar conditions could affect parts of the Granada Alpujarra and Costa Tropical.

High cloud is also expected north of the Sierra de Cadiz and across parts of the Campo de Gibraltar.

In Sevilla province, some cloud is forecast around Moron and Marchena, the Sierra Sur and areas south of Sevilla city.

Meanwhile, Cordoba could see high cloud around the middle Guadalquivir valley, the Campiña de Baena and Subbetica.

Importantly for eclipse watchers, high cloud does not necessarily mean the spectacle will be obscured.

Aemet says this type of cloud will, in most cases, still permit observation of the eclipse.

Where could viewing conditions be worse?

Across Spain more broadly, the more problematic cloud cover is expected around the Cantabrian coast, parts of coastal Galicia and the Alboran area.

Clouds are also expected to develop over mountainous areas of northern and eastern Spain during the afternoon.

There is a possibility of showers and thunderstorms around the eastern Pyrenees, the Iberian System in Teruel, eastern Castilla-La Mancha and the eastern Betic mountain ranges.

This means conditions could vary considerably depending on exactly where people choose to watch the spectacle.

Temperatures could top 40C

Those heading outside to watch the eclipse will also have to contend with another exceptionally hot August day.

Temperatures are expected to exceed 35C across large parts of inland Spain and the Balearic Islands, while the Guadalquivir and Ebro valleys could once again surpass 40C.

By the time the eclipse takes place during the evening, however, temperatures should have fallen by around 2C to 5C from their daytime peaks.

There will also be a significant wildfire risk.

Aemet expects the forest fire danger index to reach Very High or Extreme levels across much of mainland Spain and the Balearics on August 12.

Anyone planning to travel into the countryside, mountains or other natural areas to watch the eclipse is therefore being urged to exercise extreme caution.

And regardless of cloud cover, viewers should only look towards the Sun using properly certified solar-eclipse glasses or other approved solar filters – ordinary sunglasses do not provide adequate protection.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.