Plan for heat as seriously as cloud
Long totality and dry climates make desert regions attractive, but August heat can turn a good eclipse site into a poor travel decision without water, shade and realistic transport.
Heat is a planning constraint
Do not treat dry climatology as automatically comfortable. Dry air can improve cloud odds while still producing dangerous heat exposure, especially during long waits in open terrain.
Water, shade and transport
Carry more water than a normal sightseeing day requires, have shade, and avoid relying on a single roadside shop or fuel station that may be overwhelmed by eclipse traffic.
Protect electronics too
Phones, batteries and cameras can overheat in direct sun. Keep critical navigation and communication devices shaded where possible and carry offline directions.
Know when not to chase
If a forecast improvement requires unsafe driving, extreme heat exposure or travel into a restricted area, the correct decision is not to chase it. TotalityTrip's score is never a safety instruction.