Something so rare is set to happen tonight that it might be worth setting your alarm clock to wake up in the wee hours of Friday morning. 

A partial lunar eclipse is expected tonight, something that has not happened since the 15th century.

The only problem facing Cochranites is there's clouds in the forecast. 

"We are expecting a partial lunar eclipse, and it should start around 11 p.m. Unfortunately, weather-wise, we are seeing at least partly cloudy conditions tonight," said Natalie Hazell, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada. "It might be a little too cloudy for good viewing of the lunar eclipse, unfortunately."

Hazell said that even though there are gusty winds forecast for the day, those winds won't likely push the clouds away to reveal the eclipse.

"The clouds are forming despite the winds and sticking around despite the winds," she said.  "If you're lucky, you might be in that spot that's not cloudy, but generally for southern Alberta, especially along the foothills, cloudy conditions. look likely for tonight."

The last time a 97 per cent partial lunar eclipse happened was back on Feb. 18, 1440 and that eclipse lasted just over 208 minutes, or 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Tonight's is expected to last slightly longer, by a few seconds.

The best viewing time here in Alberta is around 2 a.m. 

And if you miss tonight's show, the next time an eclipse like this will come around will be in the year 2669.