Solar eclipse guide for Wilmington: Weather, watch parties, timing and more

Molly Wilhelm, Wilmington StarNews
·5 min read

Get ready -- a total solar eclipse will be visible in the United States on Monday, April 8.

While North Carolina is not in the path of totality, Wilmington-area residents will be able to see a partial eclipse.

A total solar eclipse is visible somewhere on Earth approximately every 18 months, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac. The most recent total solar eclipse was in 2017, marking the first to be visible in the contiguous U.S. since 1979. The 2017 eclipse stretched from Oregon to South Carolina, with part of North Carolina getting to experience totality.

Here's a complete guide to viewing the upcoming event on April 8.

What time is the eclipse? How long will it last? What will it look like?

Using the USA Today ZIP Code tool, you can find more information on what the solar eclipse will look like in your area!

By searching for your ZIP code, you'll be able to view the start and end time for the eclipse, the percentage of totality, and a time-lapse of what the eclipse will look like.

You can also find Wilmington on the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Map to get information on visibility and totality.

Can't view our graphic? Search for your zip code to get a complete eclipse viewing guide.

Where to watch the solar eclipse in North Carolina?

North Carolina will not be in the pathway of totality for 2024. However, Wilmington residents can still look forward to viewing a partial eclipse with over 70% coverage.

If you're looking to experience the solar eclipse as part of a group or planning to make a day out of the cosmic event, venture to one of these viewing locations across the state on April 8.

  • Science of Solar Eclipses at Airlie Gardens

    • Where: 300 Airlie Road, Wilmington

    • When: 2:30-4 p.m.

    • Cost: $10 advance online tickets, $3 for children ages 4-12

    • Event Summary: Learn more information about the science of the solar eclipse and then watch the eclipse at peak visibility.

  • Fayetteville State University Planetarium

    • Where: 1200 Murchison Road, Fayetteville

    • When: 2-4:30 p.m.

    • Cost: Free.

    • Event Summary: Several telescopes available to view the event and solar eclipse glasses for sale.

  • Discovery Place Science Museum

    • Where: 168 W. Sixth St., Charlotte

    • When: 2:30-4 p.m.

    • Cost: Free.

    • Event Summary: View or watch the eclipse from the Discovery Place Parking Deck Level 3. The eclipse will also be live streamed at the IMAX Dome Theater from 1:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. for a cost.

  • Duraleigh Road Community Library

    • Where: 5800 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh

    • When: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

    • Cost: Free.

    • Event Summary: Eclipse trivia and viewing. Eclipse glasses will be provided. Registration is requested.

  • Statewide Star Parties (hosted by the North Carolina Science Festival)

    • Where: Events hosted throughout multiple counties across the state. Check the N.C. Science Festival webpage for more information.

    • When: April 5-8.

    • Cost: Dependent on event

    • Event Summary: 37 skywatching events hosted across the state in honor of the 2024 total solar eclipse.

What will the weather in Wilmington for the solar eclipse?

Can you expect clear blue skies on April 8? Wilmington residents may be able to hold out hope.

The National Weather Service maintains records and averages for Wilmington weather throughout history. The following data details weather in Wilmington on April 8, averaged from weather recorded between 1991-2020. The record high and low temperatures are pulled from 1874 until present.

  • Record high temperature: 89 degrees (1999)

  • Record low temperature: 29 degrees (2007)

  • Average high temperature: 72.6 degrees

  • Average low temperature: 50.4 degrees

  • Mean temperature: 61.5 degrees

  • Average precipitation: 0.10 inches

The National Weather Service also provides the following data pertaining to the weather conditions in Wilmington on April 8, 2024.

  • Maximum temperature: 53 degrees

  • Minimum temperature: 46 degrees

  • Average temperature: 49.5 degrees

  • Precipitation: 1.71 inches

While it's still too soon to accurately predict the upcoming weather, The Weather Channel provides early insight into expected weather conditions in the port city.

As of Tuesday, Wilmington is expected to be 71 degrees with intervals of clouds and sunshine on April 8. Humidity is expected to be approximately 49%, with a 9% chance of rain. Wind gusts heading Southeast are predicted to be between 5 to 10 mph, with a UV Index rating of 8.

How can you safely watch the eclipse?

You will definitely want to grab a pair of solar viewing glasses to view the solar eclipse on April 8. A list of suppliers for approved eclipse glasses can be found on NASA's webpage here.

Ordinary sunglasses, even those that are very dark, are not suitable for viewing a solar eclipse.

Additionally, the American Academy of Ophthalmology warns viewers to "never look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other similar devices," even if you are wearing eclipse glasses.

If you are traveling outside of Wilmington to a location where the total eclipse will be visible, you should only look at the unfiltered total eclipse while the entirety of the sun is covered by the moon.

Where is the closest place to North Carolina to see totality?

North Carolinians will have to travel a ways to see totality.

From Wilmington, the closet location to view the total solar eclipse is Paducah, Kentucky. This city is approximately 744 miles northwest of Wilmington.

A partial eclipse will begin in Paducah at 12:42 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT). Totality begins at 2 p.m. CDT and is expected to last for two minutes, ending at 2:02 p.m. The partial eclipse will end at 3:18 p.m. CDT.

The full solar eclipse will be best viewed at 2:01 p.m. CDT, according to NASA's eclipse map.

A guide to lodging, local events, and viewing options can be found on the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau webpage here.

Though, Wilmington residents who can't make the trek to Kentucky are still in luck. Wilmington will experience over 70% coverage, according to the USA Today Zip Code Tool.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Where to watch the solar eclipse in 2024 in Wilmington, North Carolina