Weather Blog: Solar eclipse 2024

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT)- During the afternoon of April 8th the United States will experience a total solar eclipse.

While solar eclipses in general are not rare - roughly 2-3 occur every year - it is less common to see a total solar eclipse over the United States.

There are many types of eclipses from partial to annular where the moon covers portions of the sun from Earth. This year we will experience an eclipse that will allow the moon to block all sunlight from reaching Earth. The last time the United States was in the path of totality was in 2017 and after this year we will not be in the path until 2044.

Areas in the path of totality are most likely to experience travel delays on and around April... — Areas in the path of totality are most likely to experience travel delays on and around April 8th.(WBKO)

The sun is 400 times larger than the moon - but since the moon is 400 times closer to the earth, they appear the same size. This allows us to experience full darkness during total eclipses. Cities in the path of totality can expect 3-4 minutes of the moon completely covering the sun and a temperature drop of nearly 10 degrees!

This year’s solar eclipse will have 60-80% totality over the CSRA. This means that you will need proper solar viewing glasses to see the eclipse in the CSRA. To view the solar eclipse be sure to have special solar eclipse viewing glasses OR you can build your own viewer by following the steps in the pictures below.