Solar eclipse 2024: Columbus weather forecast, safe viewing tips, what you need to know

Jason Rossi, Columbus Dispatch
·3 min read

The solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, will be one of the celestial highlights of the century.

A large portion of the Buckeye State will be plunged into darkness in the middle of the day as the moon passes between the earth and sun. Cincinnati and Columbus will experience near total darkness during the eclipse, while Akron will be plunged into darkness in the middle of the day as the moon passes between the earth and sun. Either way, millions in Ohio will have a front row seat.

The last total solar eclipse in Ohio happened in 1806, and the next one won't happen until 2099. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many Ohioans.

2024 solar eclipse: A rare occurrence puts one Ohio county in the front row for another solar eclipse in 2099

Columbus will just miss being in the path of totality, unfortunately. Still, the capital city will experience near total darkness while planning for being right in the middle of the 2099 solar eclipse that will cross the United States.

Whether you’re staying Columbus to view the eclipse or traveling into the path of totality to experience it, we've got you covered with everything you need to know as you finalize your eclipse-viewing plans:

  • The best eclipse viewing spots in Ohio

  • Advanced weather forecast

  • Where to get your glasses, how to tell if they're safe and how to build an eclipse viewer at home

  • Safe viewing dos and don'ts

  • What schools will be closed or dismissing students early

Where the eclipse will be in Ohio and the nation

What is the weather forecast on April 8, the day of the eclipse?

Clear skies make for the best eclipse-viewing weather. Will the forecast near Columbus comply?

Eclipse glasses -- everything you need to know

Having the proper eyewear is essential for safely viewing the eclipse. Otherwise, you risk suffering immediate and permanent eye damage. Here's what to know about eclipse-viewing options, including how to construct your own eclipse-viewing contraption at home and how to sniff out eclipse scams.

Where to find eclipse glasses

How to tell if your glasses are safe

Solar eclipse 2024: Why we'll see the same side of the moon when the sky goes dark on April 8

How to make an eclipse-viewing device at home

Safe viewing dos and don't

Heads up, total solar eclipse, blue supermoon and 'devil comet' coming in 2024
Heads up, total solar eclipse, blue supermoon and 'devil comet' coming in 2024

Some schools will be closed on the day of the solar eclipse

Many school districts in Ohio and some near Columbus will keep students' safety (and given them a great opportunity to experience a once-in-a-lifetime event) by keeping kids home the day of the eclipse.

What to expect from 2024 solar eclipse? 'Beauty beyond measure'

Ohio is preparing for an onslaught of crowds, traffic

Ohioans need to be prepared for eclipse tourists, extra traffic and perhaps supply shortages as the state becomes an eclipse hotspot. The Ohio Department of Transportation warns of clogged roads as traffic is a primary concern for state agencies.

Solar eclipse: What did the 2023 solar eclipse look like? Photos show a 'ring of fire' in the sky.

Delicate streamers in the sun's corona surround the totally eclipsed sun during the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse. Observers along a narrow track from Mexico to Maine should have a similar view on April 8, 2024.
Delicate streamers in the sun's corona surround the totally eclipsed sun during the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse. Observers along a narrow track from Mexico to Maine should have a similar view on April 8, 2024.

What to expect as the solar eclipse descends on Ohio

April 8 will be a day hundreds of years in the making for Ohio, as the last total solar eclipse in the state happened in 1806. What have past eclipses been like? And what can Ohioans expect this time around?

Get the eclipse party started: Solar eclipse soundtrack -- 10 songs from Bonnie Tyler to the Beatles

Unique events happening in Ohio during the solar eclipse

The sky will grow dark, animals will go quiet and some couples will tie the knot during the April 8 solar eclipse in Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Solar eclipse 2024: What you need to know to watch it in Columbus