Subject: Can a solar eclipse cause clouds to form, if so how?

I went to watch the 2002 eclipse within the zone of totality, about 100km 
southeast of Beit bridge, southern Africa. Our eclipse was obscured by 
cloud though the previous day and night was hot and clear. Apparently 
clouded eclipses are common. Local people in the area have an old 
belief that eclipses bring rain. Is there any possible connection between 
the eclipse itself and the clouds gathering? If so, what could be the 
meterological mechanism? The clouds preceded the temparature drop. 

Re: Can a solar eclipse cause clouds to form, if so how?