Watch CBS News

Ideal Viewing Conditions For Draconid Meteor Shower

BOSTON (CBS) - Most meteor showers are best viewed after midnight or during the pre-dawn hours, but the Draconid meteor shower is a bit different. Your best bet to catch these "shooting stars" is to head out during the evening, once darkness falls.

Similar to our weather sometimes, the intensity of the Draconid meteor shower is often tricky to predict.

For instance, in 1933 and 1946 – thousands (yes, thousands!) of meteors were seen PER HOUR!

In more recent memory, 2011 produced a banner year with some Europeans observing more than 600 meteors per hour.

This year, only a few meteors per hour are expected, according to Earthsky.org.

EarthSky.org
(Image credit: EarthSky.org)

While clouds will gradually be on the increase overnight tonight, our skies will remain clear this evening, allowing for ideal viewing conditions.

Thankfully, the moon light won't interfere much as it's not going to rise until the early morning tomorrow, and it's in a waning crescent phase.

The bottom line?

Get away from artificial light and give it a shot!

THE FORECAST

Back to the weather now.

Clouds will gradually increase overnight tonight ahead of a strong cold front that will cross the region tomorrow. Expect a strong south-southwest wind ahead of the front; gusts will top out between 30-to-40 mph during the afternoon and evening Friday.

Scattered showers will arrive west to east around midday, spreading into southeastern Massachusetts by early afternoon. There will likely be some downpours embedded in there too, and I can't rule out a rumble of thunder (isolated) during the evening.

A general 0.10" to 0.25" of rain is possible, with some locally higher amounts north and west of Boston.

For what its worth, I'd say the raincoat is a better bet than the umbrella tomorrow.

Wind-Forecast
(WBZ-TV graphic)

Behind the front, crisp fall air moves in Friday night as high pressure builds into the Northeast.

Columbus Day
(WBZ-TV graphic)

This sets us up for a spectacular holiday weekend!

Follow Danielle on Twitter @DanielleWBZ4

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.