On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, and it will be visible in parts of New England. It鈥檚 a rare opportunity to experience what can be, by most accounts, an awe-inspiring natural event.
If you haven鈥檛 already made plans to see it, it鈥檚 worth carefully considering.
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Exactly where and when can you see it in New England?
All of New England will experience some form of an eclipse 鈥� either partial or total 鈥� on April 8, but experts agree a total eclipse is .
In New England, the path of totality will encompass parts of northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Burlington, Vermont鈥檚 largest city, and Montpelier, the state鈥檚 capital, are in the path. Many of the other communities along the path are small cities and rural towns like St. Albans, Vermont; Lancaster, New Hampshire and Houlton, Maine.
The totality will occur at around 3:30 pm on Monday, April 8, 2024.
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How is the weather looking?
Northern New England was hit with a major spring snowstorm on Thursday, April 4, but keep . It has been showing a clear, sunny window on April 8.
As this recent storm reminds us, the weather at this time of year is highly unpredictable. If you live in New England or plan to travel here, be sure you have appropriate clothing and supplies, including sturdy boots that can handle the mud that melting snow leaves behind.
What about crowds?
This part of New England is close to much larger population centers like Boston and New York, and people in the region are from around the Northeast and even the world, especially if the weather forecast looks good.
There鈥檚 little to go on as public officials prepare. Past Phish concerts, which drew tens of thousands of fans to rural areas, are helping them imagine the potential crowds and anticipate any problems.
Vermont Emergency Management is expecting 160,000 people to visit Vermont for the eclipse. Among other recommendations, they suggest you don鈥檛 leave your planning to the last minute.
Should you travel to see the eclipse in New England?
First, we hope you have already made your plans. There are definitely some great reasons to see it here.
It鈥檚 not often that a total solar eclipse happens so close to where so many of us live. before people will be able to see a total solar eclipse anywhere inside the contiguous United States.
For months, businesses and tourism officials in the three states have been . Many of these northern communities offer natural beauty, great restaurants and local shopping. And April can be a beautiful time of the year in New England.
We will see what the weather brings on Monday, April 8.
Remember these northern places may feel colder to people traveling from further away. And communities may still be cleaning up from the April 4 storm that knocked out power for thousands of people.
Tips & Advisories
First things first: eye safety
You need if you plan to view the eclipse from anywhere - .
Eclipse glasses are widely available online, and you might still be able to find them locally at places like libraries and planetariums.
Be sure to check the eclipse glasses you have are .
There are also other to experience the eclipse. A device that converts light to sound can help people in the blind and low vision community experience the eclipse.
Maine Public has put together and this short guide tells you .
Tips on finding lodging
Most hotels and short term rentals in northern New England are . Looking across the full range of totality or just outside of it could help you find a community where there are still lodging options.
Some may still be a possibility in places.
Officials are issuing strong warnings to people who try to camp. Maine officials say camping on public lands in April is 鈥渋nadvisable to all but those who are self-sufficient and fully prepared to deal with .鈥�
Road and off-road conditions
Officials are anticipating much more traffic than normal on April 8, with people driving both long and short distances for a better view.
Whenever possible, they advise against traveling on the day of the eclipse.
visitors travel with a full tank of gas (or charge, and know where to find charging stations). They also recommend packing water or snacks in case you get stuck in traffic, and traveling with a paper map so you aren鈥檛 overly reliant on navigation apps.
Cell or internet service could be affected with so many extra people in the region.
In New Hampshire, state officials are to 鈥渁rrive early, stay late鈥� and to expect delays, given the limited number of roads in and out of the state鈥檚 North Country. In addition, they say drivers should not pull over on the side of the road to view the eclipse, lest they get stuck in mud or snow (and get laughed at by the locals).
Ski areas in Vermont and that are in the path of totality say they will close lifts during totality.
Staff at Vermont鈥檚 have a plan to set up safety cones and clear the roads, if on-site parking fills up and people park on highways.
And many organizations are warning or begging people to stay off dirt roads and hiking trails. The Green Mountain Club of Vermont has said most trails in that state will be closed. In Maine, officials at Baxter State Park are suggesting visitors .
Eclipse events in New England
For those of us already well-placed to see the eclipse, there are many options for celebrating the experience with others in New England.
Cities and towns along the path of totality are planning viewing parties, parades and concerts. These events will also help them manage crowd flow and enforce designated parking areas.
For ticketed events, be sure to check availability before you get your hopes up: some are sold out.
Vermont
Dozens of events are scheduled across the wide portion of Vermont that will experience totality on April 8.
The city of Burlington has including talks, comedy shows and parties. The city has designated seven for viewing totality.
In Glover, the Bread and Puppet Theater will hold an , involving hymns to the sun and exorcism to banish everything evil.
The YMCA camp in South Hero is hosting a non-ticketed gathering with local musicians and vendors, with a suggested donation.
Click here to see a full list of eclipse events from 开云体育.
New Hampshire
The state of New Hampshire has a .
Some are in areas with totality:
- The Great North Woods Center for the Arts near Colebrook is on the evening of the big event, at 7 p.m.
- Coleman State Park in Stewartstown, right in the path of totality, is hosting something they鈥檙e calling . (Get it?) The park will be open for eclipse viewing, with food, refreshments, and activities for kids. Parking is limited, so you鈥檒l need a reservation.
Further south, some events will celebrate the partial eclipse:
- You can watch the partial eclipse and at Mystery Hill (aka America鈥檚 Stonehenge) in Salem, NH.
- The in Concord is throwing a viewing party from noon to 5 p.m.
Maine
You can find a from the Maine Office of Tourism.
Houlton will host a leading up to and on April 8. Events include a metaphysical eclipse tent and a bus tour to a nearby planetarium.
In Millinocket, runners will gather for , a casual run set to take place during the length of the eclipse. There will also be a , which includes a whoopie pie bake-off.
In Rangeley, the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust is holding a and highlighting International Dark Sky Week.
Tell us about your plans!
We鈥檙e curious to hear how you鈥檙e planning to view the total eclipse in New England. .
If you have to miss this one, there will be others in the next couple of years, .
If you want to watch a live stream of the eclipse, you can see it in , or .
Note: We'll update this post as we continue to cover the eclipse.
