In last week's Totality Tuesday, we talked about ways to indirectly view an eclipse. This week we will talk about planning for the big event on April 8.
We now have less than a month to go before the Great North American Eclipse passes over us here in Buffalo and Western New York. Whether you have already thought about what you'll be doing on that day or not, here are some things to consider.
For eclipse day on April 8, you should expect traffic to get progressively heavier throughout the morning. We are expecting many visitors to the area from outside of the path of totality, and many of them will be coming into the area just for the day. Store parking lots will fill up, people will be parked along the roads, and even the Thruway and other highways will have people parking along the sides. Please use caution and exercise patience when dealing with traffic.
As much as possible, you should reschedule any appointments you have for that day. In fact, many doctors, dentists, and other providers will be closing on April 8. You should think about any prescription refills that you would normally pick up that day and plan to pick them up over the weekend if possible.
Although many visitors to our area will be coming just for the day, many will be here for the weekend. Residents have been advised to fill up their gas tanks and get groceries and other supplies by Thursday, April 4, to avoid crowds over the weekend and possible fuel shortages.
If the weather is good, Western New York could see close to a million visitors! This will also put a strain on cell towers, so do not be surprised if your cell phones have problems connecting on April 8. You should make a plan with your family in case you can't communicate.
Remember, this will not be a "normal" Monday. You will want to start preparing now if you haven't already. If you want to attend a group viewing event, such as Eclipse Fest here at Buffalo State University, do not wait to get tickets. These events will sell out soon if they haven't already.
By preparing for the eclipse ahead of time, you can help ensure that you and others have a great eclipse experience!
Next week, I'll be answering some common (and uncommon) questions about solar eclipses.
Question of the Week: Why do we think a million visitors will come to Western New York?
Answer: It might seem unbelievable that a million people would visit the Buffalo and Western New York areas for the total eclipse. This estimate is based on the number of visitors who flocked to the Nashville area for the 2017 eclipse. The actual number of visitors we will see on April 8 will depend on the weather. If we have clear skies and other places along the path do not, we could actually see more than a million visitors!
For information about Buffalo State's eclipse events, visit the Buffalo State Eclipse website. Questions? Email eclipse@buffalostate.edu.
