Solar eclipse ‘event of a lifetime,’ says Chief Meteorologist Eric Elwell

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

It will be the event of a lifetime -- IF -- the weather cooperates here in the Miami Valley late summer.

On Aug. 21, the first total eclipse in nearly a century will be visible across much of the United States. It will be a total solar eclipse from Oregon to Tennessee to South Carolina, Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist Eric Elwell said.

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If skies are clear enough here in the Dayton region, expect the eclipse to begin a few minutes after 1 p.m. The eclipse will reach its maximum in the Miami Valley at 2:28 p.m. with nearly 90 percent of the sun being obscured by the moon.

We’ll have near darkness in the middle of the afternoon. The moon then will move away with the eclipse ending at 3:51 p.m.

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It is highly recommended that viewers of the eclipse wear protective eye gear, not just sunglasses. Staring at the sun can cause severe damage to the eyes.

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If you miss the eclipse or the weather does not cooperate, you won't have to wait another century. Dayton will get a chance to see another total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

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