Total Solar Eclipse: 5 Things You Need to Know

news image
Special Stories
8 Apr 2024 6:05 PM

A total solar eclipse is coming! Here are the 5 things you need to know: 

Here is a way to TRACK your time in the eclipse thanks to NASA

#1 The eclipse is happening on Monday, April 8th at 1:30 PM CT... ending just one hour later. Carving a path from Del Rio TX to Burlington VT with the cities of Dallas, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo all in the path of totality. 

#2 This will be a total solar eclipse, where the moon blocks ALL the sun’s light. The average duration of totality for this event will be between 3 ½ and 4 minutes long, which is almost twice as long as the last North American eclipse in 2017.  

#3 Don’t worry if you’re not in totality, the entire U.S. will see some sort of coverage from the eclipse, from the Pacific northwest with 30% coverage to SE Florida with 40% coverage.  

#4 No matter where you’re watching from, you’ll want to make sure you have eclipse glasses so you can safely view the sun during the eclipse. Regular sunglasses won’t do, purchase a pair that is CE and ISO-approved. 

#5 About 10 mins before totality, as sunlight fades, listen for changes in bird and insect sounds ... wildlife might act as if nighttime is approaching.  

For the latest on the solar eclipse and potential weather impacts, join WeatherNation in the days leading up to April 8th! More Articles:

How Rare are Total Solar Eclipses

5 Cool Things You Can See During the Eclipse

How to Contribute to Science During the Eclipse

Eclipse Safety

Hearing the Eclipse

All Weather News
More
Elevated Fire Danger For Florida and the South

Elevated Fire Danger For Florida and the South

While temperatures will cool across the South

22 Feb 2026 12:17 AM
Blizzard Warnings Issued - Nor'easter Takes Aim at the Atlantic Coast

Blizzard Warnings Issued - Nor'easter Takes Aim at the Atlantic Coast

Storms have seemingly been drawn to the North

21 Feb 2026 9:15 PM
Next Pacific System Brings Flood Potential To Oregon & California

Next Pacific System Brings Flood Potential To Oregon & California

Inches of rain and feet of snow fell across t

21 Feb 2026 9:00 PM
Strong Storms Target the Southeast

Strong Storms Target the Southeast

A developing storm system is expected to brin

21 Feb 2026 7:55 PM
New England Snow & Ice Into Saturday

New England Snow & Ice Into Saturday

Snow has become more widespread across Upstat

21 Feb 2026 3:15 AM
Major Storm System Winds Down in California

Major Storm System Winds Down in California

CALIFORNIA - After almost a week of relentles

21 Feb 2026 3:10 AM
Wildfire Danger: Red Flag Warnings Persist Into Saturday

Wildfire Danger: Red Flag Warnings Persist Into Saturday

PLAINS - Multiple active fires broke out earl

21 Feb 2026 3:00 AM