NORFOLK, Va. — Much of the United States saw a total solar eclipse on Monday afternoon, where the moon blocked the sun for several minutes, casting a shadow on our planet.
The eclipse passed through Mexico, the United States and Canada. NASA's 2024 eclipse map shows the totality path, or "umbra," spans in a northeasterly direction from southern Texas through parts of the Midwest and northeastern parts of the country.
All of Virginia was in the "penumbra," the bigger but partial shadow from the eclipse. But the obscurity of the sunshine increased the further west or north you go.
You can watch live coverage of the eclipse as it happens here on 13NewsNow.com, as well as on our mobile app and our 13News Now+ streaming app.
Follow along as 13News Now's team of journalists brings you the latest updates on the eclipse, from traffic impacts to pictures and weather conditions.
6 p.m. — 13News Now's Craig Moeller recaps total solar eclipse in Missouri
13News Now meteorologist Craig Moeller traveled from Virginia to Missouri to experience the solar eclipse in the path of totality. Here's what he saw.
5:50 p.m. — What the eclipse looked like via satellite
Satellite imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows the eclipse as it passed through Mexico, the United States and Canada.
4:40 p.m. — Eclipse is done in Virginia
13News Now Marketing Producer Danika Barone took this picture at 4:35 p.m., right after the eclipse ended.
4:30 p.m. — Third rocket launched from NASA Wallops
3:45 p.m. — Rockets launched from NASA Wallops on the Eastern Shore
NASA has launched two sounding rockets from its Wallops Island facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore, as part of a project to study solar eclipses' impact on the atmosphere.
A third rocket launch is scheduled for 4:15 p.m.
3:40 p.m. — Spectators watch the eclipse at Mount Trashmore
Monday's solar eclipse captured the attention of people across the country, and right here in Hampton Roads. Crowds gathered at Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia Beach to take in the rare celestial event.
3:30 p.m. — Peak passes in Hampton Roads
The eclipse's peak was at 3:20 p.m. in Norfolk and coverage is expected to be done shortly after 4:30 p.m.
3 p.m. — Photos of partial eclipse from Hampton Roads
13News Now Marketing Producer Danika Barone took these pictures of the eclipse from her home in Portsmouth.
2 p.m. — Eclipse to become visible in Hampton Roads within the hour
According to NASA's 2024 eclipse map, the eclipse will start to become visible in Norfolk within the 2 p.m. hour. There will be partial coverage by 2:45 p.m. and it will peak at 78.8% coverage at 3:20 p.m.
13News Now Reporter Angelique Arintok is at the Virginia Living Museum, where a watch party started at 2 p.m. Here's a look at what's happening.
Photos: April 8 solar eclipse viewing across Hampton Roads
1:40 p.m. — 2024 solar eclipse begins in Mexico
The National Weather Service shared a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) of the eclipse shadow starting to overtake Mexico.
1:10 p.m. — 13News Now's Craig Moeller visits Missouri in path of totality
13News Now meteorologist Craig Moeller traveled from Virginia to Cape Girardeau, Missouri to experience the solar eclipse in the path of totality.
According to NASA's eclipse map, the southeastern Missouri city will experience four minutes of totality around 3 p.m. As far as the weather goes, it's mostly sunny with some high clouds. Here's Craig's noon update from Missouri.
And as pictured, Craig is ready to see the eclipse safely with his viewing glasses.
1:10 p.m. — Watch live solar eclipse coverage across the U.S.
Watch live coverage here as the solar eclipse across America begins, spanning the central and northeastern regions of the country.
1 p.m. — Where are you watching the solar eclipse? Let us know!
13News Now Reporter Angelique Arintok is at the Virginia Living Museum, where a watch party will begin at 2 p.m. Tap or click here for the 13News Now's list of places to watch the eclipse across Hampton Roads.
Where are you watching the solar eclipse? Text 13News Now at 757-628-6200 to let us know. And of course, don't forget your viewing glasses!
12:45 p.m. — Why Norfolk Public Schools canceled school day for solar eclipse
Schools across Norfolk were rather quiet Monday morning. That’s because Norfolk Public School administrators closed school for the day.
A statement from the division reads:
With the eclipse coinciding with the time when many students are preparing to depart from their school locations or already traveling home, and to better ensure their safety, students will not report to school on Monday, April 8, 2024.
11:30 a.m. — Weather conditions favorable for NASA Wallops rocket launch during eclipse
Officials at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility said weather conditions are favorable for launching sounding rockets during the solar eclipse on Monday.
"There's a small chance of a few clouds in the area in the afternoon, but we are not tracking any weather impacts for launch," NASA officials wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). "Window opens at 2:40pm ET."
The launch is the latest Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) Mission, where scientist hopes to uncover the mysteries behind the highly anticipated solar eclipse.
Since 1963, NASA has launched eight other sounding rocket missions under the APEP Umbrella. Monday’s launch will mark the ninth in total, and the first from the Wallops Island Flight Facility since 1970, aiming to collect data and information about the effects of a solar eclipse on our ionosphere.
11:20 a.m. — Where you can watch the April 8 solar eclipse across Hampton Roads and beyond
Several events are happening across Hampton Roads on Monday you can attend to receive or purchase eclipse glasses and get more information about the rare event. Tap or click here for the 13News Now's list.
11:10 a.m. — What Virginians will see during the solar eclipse
13News Now Meteorologist Craig Moeller talked with NASA's Dr. Georgia de Nolfo about the April 8 solar eclipse. Here's what she had to say about the phenomenon.
"In Virginia, you'll be able to see a partial eclipse, about 78% of the sun will be covered. So, what it will look like is a crescent-shaped in the sky. But if you're lucky enough to drive into the path of totality, then you'll actually be able to block out more of the light. And as a result, we'll be able to see the very faint atmosphere of the sun which scientists call the corona."
In Virginia, the obscurity of the sunshine increases the further west or north you go. Big Stone Gap in extreme southwest Virginia will see 89.% coverage and Winchester will see 90.1%, according to NASA's eclipse map. On the coast, Virginia Beach will get 77.9% coverage and Norfolk will get 78.8%.
11 a.m. — VDOT shares tips for safe driving during solar eclipse
The Virginia Department of Transportation shared some tips for safe driving during Monday's solar eclipse:
- Don't wear eclipse glasses while driving.
- Turn your headlights on.
- Don't park on the road, shoulders or ramps to view the eclipse
- Be on the lookout for pedestrians
- Arrive early and stay late.
For the latest road conditions across Virginia, visit 13News Now's Traffic page.
9:10 a.m. — What to expect with Coastal Virginia's weather during solar eclipse
For Monday, expect mostly sunny skies, which will make for good eclipse-viewing weather!
Also, with high pressure moving east, we'll have southerly winds that will transport warmer air into Hampton Roads and northeast North Carolina so highs will rise to near or above normal, around the upper 60s and lower 70s.
So not only will we have the right skies for the eclipse viewing, but it will actually be pleasant standing outside. Temperatures will likely drop a few degrees during the maximum part of the eclipse.
6 a.m. — When will Virginia see a total solar eclipse?
In Virginia, the moon will only cover about 80% of the sun. It's not totality, but it is a spectacle Virginians will not see again for years.
The eclipse on Monday will begin for our area around 2 p.m., peak around 3:20 p.m. and then come to an end at 4:30 p.m.
NASA says while roughly two to three solar eclipses happen each year, a total solar eclipse only happens twice every three years. Keep in mind not every solar eclipse is visible in the United States.
The next U.S. eclipse spanning coast to coast will not happen again until 2045! That eclipse however will curve through California, Arkansas and down into Florida, missing Virginia by quite a bit.