How will the upcoming eclipse effect North Carolina?

Rowan County and the Charlotte metro area may not be in the path of totality, but we should still get quite the show during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 — However, you should always remember to view any eclipse through the safety of special solar lenses. 

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 table below.

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.

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.

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.