If you’re wondering where you should be today, if you want to see the solar eclipse. You’re in luck. Below, I’ve got a location by location guide to help you get the best look. Please don’t look directly at the sun, though. Always wear the proper protective eye wear so as not to damage your eyes.
If you’re lucky enough to be in one of these places, you’re going to see the total solar eclipse. Everyone else is only going to see a partial solar eclipse. That doesn’t mean it’s still not cool. But according to those who have seen total solar eclipses, not “jaw dropping, knee buckling, emotionally-overloading, completely overwhelming spectacle that is totality”. If you haven’t already left for one of these locations, you’re probably out of luck. But if you do happen to live in one of these places, it’s going to be pretty incredible.
Columbia, South Carolina
Time of eclipse: 2:43pm
Duration: 2 minutes, 35 seconds
Total Eclipse Columbia
Weather forecast: Not great. Chance of rain all day, spiking above 20% in the afternoon.
Madras, Oregon
Time of eclipse: 10:19am
Duration: 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Madras Eclipse
Weather forecast: Immaculate. A 0% chance of rain during the eclipse.
Nashville, Tennesse
Time of eclipse: 1:27pm
Duration: 1 minute, 57 seconds
Music City Eclipse
Weather forecast: Outstanding. Clear with a 1% chance of rain.
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Time of eclipse: 1:24pm
Duration: 2 minutes, 41 seconds
Eclipseville
Weather forecast: Ideal. Clear with about a 2% chance of rain.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Time of eclipse: 2:35pm
Duration: 1 minute, 17 seconds
National Park Service 2017 Solar Eclipse
Weather forecast: Strong. Clear with 3% chance of rain midday.
Greenville, South Carolina
Time of eclipse: 2:38pm
Duration: 2 minutes, 10 seconds
Greenville Eclipse
Weather forecast: Could be better! Partially cloudy with a 15% chance of rain.
Carbondale, Illinois
Time of eclipse: 1:20pm
Duration: 2 minutes, 41 seconds
Carbondale Eclipse
Weather forecast: Pretty good. Partly cloudy, no chance of rain
St. Joseph, Missouri
Time of eclipse: 1:06pm
Duration: 2 minutes, 39 seconds
St. Joseph Eclipse
Weather forecast: Could get interesting. Chance of rain all day, hitting 15% at midday.
North Platte, Nebraska
Time of eclipse: 11:49am
Duration: 1 minute, 50 seconds in town / 2 minutes, 30 seconds just north
Nebraska Eclipse
Weather forecast: Not bad. A chance of clouds, no chance of rain.
Casper, Wyoming
Time of eclipse: 11:42am
Duration: 2 minutes, 26 seconds
Casper Eclipse
Weather forecast: Pristine. Clear and dry in the morning, with a chance of rain in the afternoon.
Snake River Valley, Idaho
Time of eclipse: 11:33am
Duration: 2 minutes, 18 seconds
Snake River Valley Eclipse
Weather forecast: Glorious. A few clouds, no chance of rain.
Some of these have already passed, but for the rest of you, you’ve still got time. Enjoy this once in a life time opportunity, and marvel at the wonder that is the universe. I’m not going to get into a debate about science versus religion, because regardless of your belief, you will find it amazing. Since I am not in the line of travel for the full eclipse, I look forward to seeing some of the images from NASA. Enjoy the eclipse and stay safe.