The National Weather Service (NWS) says today will be a quiet weather day with clear to partly cloudy skies and seasonable temperatures expected as the much-anticipated solar eclipse arrives in St. Lawrence County this afternoon.

Sunny skies are expected for most of the North Country with highs topping out at 86 and south winds of 6 to 14 miles per hour, NWS says.

The partial eclipse in our area will begin around 1:15 p.m. reaching its peak around 2:35 p.m. and wrapping up around 3:50 p.m.

While a number of St. Lawrence County residents will be traveling to the path of totality, where the sun will be completely blocked by the moon, those who don’t will still experience quite a show.

Those who plan to watch the event should do so with caution. According to NASA he only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. Those who purchase eclipse glasses should insure that they are approved by the American Astronomical Society.

For more on the solar eclipse, see story.

An approaching low pressure system will increases chances for showers and thunderstorms Tuesday, with showers lingering into Wednesday, the service says.

The remainder of the week is shaping up to be mainly dry, with plentiful sunshine and below normal temperatures.

The forecast through the weekend is as follows:

Tuesday

Occasional showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 85. Heat index values as high as 90. Southwest wind 8 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night

Occasional showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then showers likely. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 63. Southwest wind 10 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday

A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. West wind around 10 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. West wind 3 to 6 mph.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. West wind 5 to 7 mph.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Light northwest wind.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Calm wind.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Light and variable wind.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.