Solar Eclipse 2024: How much will North Carolina see and when?

(WGHP) – North Carolina may not be in the path of totality, but we should still get quite the spectacle during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 — if viewed safely through specialty solar filter lenses, of course.

This will be the first total solar eclipse to cross the United States since August 2017, and the path of totality is expected to run straight through Indianapolis, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; and Burlington, Vermont.

Here in North Carolina, Tapoco to the west is set to see the highest eclipse magnitude at 88.5%, and Bald Head Island to the east will see the least at 75.5%, according to Eclipse2024.org. Everyone in between will see a partial eclipse within that range.

The eclipse will reach its peak in Tapoco at 3:07 p.m. and in Corolla at 3:20 p.m., but you can find out exactly when to expect the eclipse to reach peak magnitude and what that magnitude is expected to be using the map and table below.

The table below includes information for the top 500 most populace communities in North Carolina. You can use the search bar to find the closest city to you.

According to the American Astronomical Society, the August 2017 total solar eclipse was the first with a path of totality crossing both the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts since the solar eclipse of 1918.

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It also made “landfall” exclusively in the United States, making it the first eclipse to do that since U.S. independence in 1776.

According to NASA, a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes directly between the sun and earth, blocking the face of the sun.

When viewing a total solar eclipse, it’s important to remember not to look directly at the sun except for during the few minutes when totality occurs. Eclipse viewing glasses or other solar safe viewing devices (NOT sunglasses) are needed during the majority of a total solar eclipse.

In order to experience totality, you’d have to be located in the center of the moon’s shadow as it casts on Earth.

What will North Carolina's Piedmont Triad be able to see during this year’s eclipse? 

While the Triad experienced a 94% eclipse in 2017, this year the coverage will be even less.

The Triad will be in 80% to 90% coverage during the solar eclipse. More specifically, Greensboro will experience 84% totality, Winston Salem will experience 85% totality and North Wilkesboro will see 86% totality.

With that being said, solar eclipse viewing glasses will be needed for all of North Carolina during the entirety of the event.

It's too early to know what the clouds will do on April 8 but that could also impact our view of the solar eclipse.

What cities and states will experience totality? 

If you’re interested in experiencing the total solar eclipse in all its glory, then you may want to think about planning a trip or vacation to one of the states in the totality path.

Here’s a list of all the states in the path of totality: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont.

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The closest state to experience totality is Tennessee. However, the only city in Tennessee where totality will be visible is Bessie in the far northwestern corner of the state. Google Maps says it’s nearly a 10.5-hour drive from the Triad!

You’d be better off driving to Paducah, Kentucky, which is only a 9-hour drive! Another “closer” location if you'd want to get in the car is Erie, Pennsylvania, which is about an 8.5-hour drive.

Booking a flight and planning a trip may be the better way to go for this total solar eclipse. Some of the major cities that are in the path of totality include San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Little Rock, and Burlington, Vermont.

Several cities on this list will experience totality for over 3.5 minutes. When that occurs, they’ll likely experience a brief drop in temperatures and even some bugs may emerge thinking it’s nighttime.

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