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Here's what New Yorkers need to know about Monday's eclipse
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Apr 7, 2024
Modified Apr 7, 2024
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Kena Betancur/VIEWpress/Corbis via Getty Images
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Apr 7, 2024
Modified Apr 7, 2024
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New Yorkers will be treated to the first solar eclipse in seven years on Monday.
Traffic will be bad, plenty of events will be underway, and free glasses are around for the taking – if you know where to look.
The eclipse begins at 2:10 p.m. The city won't see a total blackout from the eclipse, like in upstate communities in the path of totality, but nearly 90% of the sun will be obscured by the moon by 3:25 p.m. The eclipse will be over at 4:36 p.m.
Monday’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies, with a high of 62 degrees. Don’t miss the chance to (safely) look up at the sun: The next eclipse in the city isn’t until 2045.
State and city officials says watch out on the roads
High levels of traffic are expected throughout the state on Monday. Authorities recommend that people stay off the roads or allow for extra travel time. The Department of Environmental Conservation warned that some streets and bridges could be closed due to traffic jams, though that is more likely in upstate communities in the path of a total eclipse.
Gov. Kathy Hochul asked anyone traveling upstate to plan ahead, especially when it comes to fuel.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Hochul said the state was expecting jam-packed roadways as people from in and out of state try to pick their spot to see the darkening for themselves.
"Build in lots of travel time," Hochul said. "We are warning everyone that the roads can only handle so much and we're expecting a high, high volume of traffic before and after the event as people go to the destinations they want to visit."
The state also urged drivers to find a safe location from which to view the eclipse, rather than just pulling over.
Mayor Eric Adams’ administration also issued a similar advisory encouraging drivers to turn on their headlights around 3:25 p.m.
Most kids will be leaving school when the eclipse is underway. The city education department says schools will be operating on a normal schedule.
Where to get free solar eclipse glasses
Free solar eclipse glasses are being distributed at public libraries across the city while supplies last. The city recommends calling a specific branch ahead of time to check if glasses are still available.
Eclipse events
To see the eclipse, all you need to do is look up. The city parks department is also holding events in the following locations:
- Manhattan: The corner of West 218th Street and Indian Road by Inwood Hill Park
- Brooklyn: Bowling Green Cottage in the Parade Grounds, near the Kensington Dog Run at the corner of Coney Island Avenue and Caton Avenue
- The Bronx: Van Cortlandt Nature Center in Van Cortlandt Park
- Queens*:* Beach 44th Street on the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach
- Staten Island: Freshkills North Park Entrance in Freshkills Park
Other events are taking place at Green-Wood Cemetery, the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Hall of Science in Queens.
Planning a last-minute trip out of town? Good luck.
Hochul said she expects that conditions in the backcountry of the Adirondacks during the eclipse will be particularly rough, with melting snow potentially causing mudslides and flooding.
Many hotels and Airbnbs in the path of totality in New York have been booked for months. State officials have likened the eclipse to a combination of a blizzard and a very big party, according to the Washington Post. The nearest town to New York City that is located in the path of totality is Syracuse, which is over four hours away by car on a good day. But drivers can count on spending much more time in their cars as traffic is expected to be heavy.
This story has been updated with additional comment from Gov. Kathy Hochul.
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new york city
new york
environment
Health and Science
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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