Plans to see the eclipse throughout New England are now coming down to the wire. Here are some tips to help.
The eclipse send a long arc of the U.S. plunging into darkness on Monday, spanning from Texas to Maine. The path of “totality,” where the sun will be completely blocked, is 115 miles wide, according to NASA.
In the Northeast, this path includes swaths of New York, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Areas in states including Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island will also see a partial eclipse.
New England eclipse watchers seem to have lucked out, weather-wise. The Northeast region along the path of the eclipse reportedly has the best chance of clear skies, with a long string of cloudy, unclear weather along the path from Texas to Missouri and more uncertainty in areas like Northern Arkansas to central Indiana.
Around New England, highs for the day reach into the 50s and 60s. Some of the more southern areas around the Berkshires in New York and southern Vermont may experience some clouds, forecasters say, and the safest bet for total visibility may be more northern areas around Maine.
In Massachusetts, viewing conditions are “really favorable,” NWS forecasters said, and the Boston area is looking at a mostly sunny forecast.
Anyone without glasses approved for the solar eclipse at this point may be in for a hard time finding any, as thousands scramble to purchase a last minute pair. Many retailers, like Home Depot and Target, sell eclipse glasses but are likely to sell out. Trusted online retailers, which are listed by the American Astronomical Society, may be available for overnight shipping for those who move quickly.
Other entities, including science museums and libraries, are known to give out eclipse glasses around the date. In Massachusetts, the Department of Conservation and Recreation will be offering free glasses and programming around the eclipse at eight state parks.
“This partial solar eclipse is a unique opportunity for people of all ages to connect with the world around them and witness the wonders of the universe,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We’re excited to offer educational opportunities for the public to learn about the science behind eclipses and witness this awe-inspiring event firsthand.”
Those parks include: Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge, Blue Hills Reservation in Milton; Borderland State Park in North Easton; Nickerson State Park in Brewster; Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in East Falmouth; Halibut Point State Park in Rockport; Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls, and Mt. Greylock State Reservation, in Lanesborough.
Traffic is expected to be intense around the path of the eclipse throughout New England. State authorities are urging residents to plan to arrive at their destinations in plenty of time and consider using public transportation, like buses and trains.
States and New England 511 also offer real time traffic updates and alternate routes for those traveling.
Many outlets will stream the eclipse throughout the path for people who may miss out for any reason. Around 1 p.m., NASA will begin to stream telescope views of the eclipse.
Ted Shaffrey/ The Associated Press
A Solar Eclipse sign is on Interstate 81 in Binghamton, New York, last week. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)