On an eclipse journey I always feel relief when I’m within the path of totality, however far from the centerline that is, and whether or not it’s my final viewing destination. San Antonio has one boot in the umbra; if all else fails, I’ll see the gosh-darn eclipse from here.

Local weather news teams are delivering next week’s bad forecast as gently as possible. “Rain and clouds are predicted for Monday, but we’ll see what we can do!” cracks the Fox meteorologist. He’s not wrong, actually; eclipse day weather is literally unpredictable. The temp drop as the partial phase progresses creates strange weather, drawing or disbursing clouds, and sometimes causes conditions to improve (or worsen). Things could change in the coming week, as well. It’s isn’t time to lose hope—nor is it time to get hopes up.

City planners in the Lone Star State aren’t getting caught with their pants down this year, that’s for sure. Residents are urged to plan ahead, stock up on cash, groceries and gas, and panic in general. Warnings of highway gridlock, limited supplies, and disrupted cell phone and internet service are everywhere, and even truckers are disallowed from traveling in 83 Texas counties on Monday.