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NEW YORK – Where will you see the total solar eclipse on April 8? There are only a few weeks left to choose your spot to see dark skies along a strip of North America, whether by land, sea or air.
For those who live within 115 miles The path of complete darknessit might just be a matter of getting out and getting dressed Special eclipse glasses To watch the scene unfold. For millions off the beaten path, or those who just want to improve their chances of clear skies, that might mean hitting the road with a game plan.
The eclipse will reach Mexico's Pacific coast in the morning, cut diagonally across the United States from Texas to Maine and emerge in eastern Canada in the late afternoon. Most of the rest of the continent will witness a partial eclipse.
Weather will be key, and spring weather along the trail can be treacherous. The retired Canadian meteorologist said Mexico and Texas offer the best odds for sunny skies Jay Anderson.
“There's no guarantee of sunshine anywhere, just better opportunities,” he said.
Anderson studies satellite data over the past 20 years to calculate how often the weather is cloudy on any given eclipse day. In addition to Mexico and Texas, he said there are other promising areas on the path to the total eclipse, especially along the Great Lakes region.
Tip: If you're flexible, start paying attention to the local weather after about 10 days, and then make your plans based on the three-day weather forecast. He said die-hard eclipse chasers often line up at more than one location and make last-minute decisions based on the best forecast.
One seasoned eclipse chaser recommends choosing a location and making it a vacation so that the eclipse is the “cherry on top” and not the only event — just in case things don't work out.
Tom Schultz will travel from his retirement home in Costa Rica to view the eclipse from his mother-in-law's home in Rochester, New York, with other relatives.
“If it rains, we'll have this great family reunion,” Schultz said.
Veteran Anne Marie Adkins could have driven across town in San Antonio to view the total eclipse, but she chose to join an astronomer-led tour to Mazatlan, Mexico, betting on clear skies there. She has been thwarted by clouds on other trips. For the 2017 US solar eclipse, she went to Nebraska and had to scramble that day to find better skies.
“It's a gamble. You never know what you're going to get,” Adkins said.
Post-eclipse traffic is a particular concern, especially in rural areas like the Texas Hill Country. Patricia Moore, Bandera Visitor CentreHe said last year's “Ring of Fire” eclipse was a dress rehearsal for police and other first responders. Tiny Bandera – the “Cowboy Capital of the World” – expect crowds at nearby music festivals this weekend.
“After the eclipse, there will be a challenge,” she said.
As the eclipse occurred on Monday, cities and towns along the path lined up for a weekend full of activities and viewing parties to attract visitors. There are many music festivals and gatherings planned at museums, theme parks, wineries and other businesses hoping to capitalize on the hype.
Niagara Falls Sarah Harvey, spokeswoman for Destination Niagara USA, said she has a slate of events for several days and expects Fourth of July-sized crowds for the eclipse.
There are several vantage points to view the show from Niagara Falls State Park, and the popular Maid of the Mist tour boats may be in operation, weather permitting, she said. Even if it's cloudy, visitors will get a “beautiful view of the falls,” Harvey said.
In Waco, Texas, celebrations will reach their peak on eclipse day Science-themed activities outside Baylor-McLean Stadiumalong the so-called landing alley.
It may be too late to get a cabin on a cruise ship stationed off the coast of Mexico to view the eclipse, but there are other water options including a ride on a Victorian paddle-wheel coaster on Lake Erie from Erie, Pennsylvania.
If the sky is looming on the horizon, Southwest and Delta have scheduled flights that will fly along or near the eclipse's path. A private Delta flight from Austin to Detroit quickly sold out, prompting the airline to add another flight from Dallas.
Looking for a different place to watch the alignment of the Sun, Moon and Earth? Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host NASA astronauts and other guests. Cedar Point Amusement Park on Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio, will open for the day. And the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas He holds a tailgate fundraiser and invites visitors to watch the zoo residents' reaction to the midday darkness.
Anderson, the weather expert, said it was worth traveling to see the “special magical moment” of the total eclipse: “It's like the Taylor Swift of natural events.”
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