https://abcnews.go.com/US/solar-eclipse-weather-forecast-see-event/story?id=108756487
https://abcnews.go.com/US/aprils-total-solar-eclipse-historic-event-us/story?id=107977119
On April 8th, 2024, a solar eclipse will be visible throughout the United States. The path starts in Texas and stretches all the way to Maine, and these populated areas will be viewing the solar eclipse in its totality; however, a partial eclipse will be visible outside of the path, specifically in local areas. The next total solar eclipse in the contiguous U.S. won’t be until 2044, and when the moon blocks the sun on April 8th, parts of North America will become dark, and shadows will become sharper; it truly feels like a celestial event that won’t return for 20 years. In a total eclipse, your surroundings will become dark, and you will see a “disk” form around the moon; stars and planets become bright and easily noticeable. Although the last solar eclipse was present in 2017, and scientists say this 7-year gap is deceptive considering the previous eclipse in 1979, they are usually more than a decade apart.
Because this event is so rare, there is expected to be a mass travel event in 2024. Experts say it will look like 50 Super Bowls nationwide, and four million people are expected to travel within the path to view the total solar eclipse. Texas is already bracing for a state of emergency just because of the number of tourists expected, and some counties will double in population during this time. In terms of weather on that day, Texas has by far the best weather prospects, with some other parts of North America expected to be cloudy, so there is less chance of visibility. This includes some areas within the 115-mile-wide path of totality that could cause the eclipse to appear partial instead of total.
In conclusion, everyone planning on viewing the eclipse gets to see it in totality and good and prosperous weather. In Virginia, we can only see the eclipse partially, so continue to be safe and don’t look at the sun without proper protection. Shadows will still become sharper, and we will see the effects for three to four minutes. Although it won’t be totally where we are, the sun is still very bright to the human eye, especially during an eclipse, so protective equipment is crucial on this day.