Sunny and breezy conditions are in the forecast this afternoon in the Region during the solar eclipse, while the National Weather Service says there could be a few clouds, mainly high-altitude thin cirrus clouds, in central Indiana, which is in the path of totality. Experts say there will be about 95-percent coverage in the Region. In northwest Indiana, the eclipse will begin around 12:45 pm Central Time and end by about 3:30 pm CT reaching its maximum around 2 pm Central. The longest duration of totality in the Hoosier state is expected to occur in downstate Bloomington at four-minutes-five-seconds. The duration of totality in Indianapolis is estimated at about three-minutes-50-seconds, among the longest durations in the state, with the shortest in Marion at two-minutes-five-seconds.
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) says the eclipse will travel over a large portion of the state, with the path of totality spanning from Evansville to the outskirts of Fort Wayne as the path of the eclipse moves across Indiana from the southwest to the northeast. INDOT said it will limit road closures and restrictions where possible on state routes to help with traffic flow surrounding the eclipse.
Indiana State Police urge all motorists who wish to experience the eclipse to exit the roadway; do not stop along highways or park on the shoulder, state police said. Also, turn on headlights, do not rely on automatic lights, Indiana State Police said, and watch for pedestrians, especially along secondary roads.
Here is a link to the National Weather Service Chicago website for a map showing the path and anticipated weather conditions. The width of the path of totality is about 115 miles in Indiana. Much of central and southern Indiana is in the path of totality, along with a small area of northeast Indiana.
Here is a link to eclipse times (Eastern Time) across central Indiana and hourly weather forecast information at the Indianapolis National Weather Service website.
The Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana State Police are urging drivers to plan ahead and prepare for potential travel impacts before, during, and after the total solar eclipse. Officials say nearly four-million Hoosiers live within the path of totality, and hundreds of thousands of people are expected to visit Indiana for the celestial event. A news release said areas near the eclipse centerline are expected to see the most visitors, including Bloomington and Vincennes. Here is a link to INDOT’s Trafficwise website for info on traffic conditions in the Region and across the state.
The Indiana Toll Road (ITR), long-term lessee and operator by ITR Concession Company LLC, and the Indiana Department of Transportation Northwest District (INDOT) also remind drivers “to exercise caution and stay aware during the rare celestial event,” noting that during the eclipse, “there may be limited visibility on roadways due to the darkening skies. However, it is crucial for motorists to refrain from slowing down, stopping, or pulling over on the road” as “sudden stops or slowdowns can lead to incidents and endanger other drivers.”
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security says hundreds of thousands of people are expected to travel or already have traveled to the Hoosier state for the Monday April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse, a news release noting that Indiana is within a one-day drive from 70 percent of the country’s population. In Indianapolis leaders expect over 100-thousand visitors. An organizing committee in Indy has been planning for the day for a number of years. Indianapolis, Bloomington, and several other Indiana cities are in the path of totality for the April 8th eclipse; experts say there will be about 95-percent coverage in the Region. Here is a link from the state of Indiana for more information. “On average, a total solar eclipse occurs on a given spot on the planet only once about every 375 years. Portions of Indiana will not be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse again until 2099,” a news release from Indiana Department of Homeland Security said.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and sun blocking the sun’s light, and the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse is the first in the United States since 2017 and will be the last one in the contiguous U.S. until 2044. The path of totality, where the sun is completely blocked by the moon, with begin crossing the U.S. at around 2:30 PM Eastern time and will finish about an hour later. For those in the path of totality, for a few minutes the Moon completely blocks out the sun’s light, day becomes almost night, and the air temperature can drop. Totality will occur in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Other areas will experience a partial eclipse, estimated at about 95 to 96 percent coverage of the sun in northwest Indiana.
The Indiana Optometric Association is urging everyone to remember eye safety and provided this link — www.ioa.org — for more information on overall safety during a solar eclipse and on approved “eclipse glasses” that meet a specific international standard; there is an eclipse resources link at the Indiana Optometric Association website. “All symptoms should be treated as urgent until viewed by a Doctor of Optometry. If you suspect an eye or vision problem, don’t hesitate to call your local practice – this is the best way to combat potentially severe complications, including vision loss,” a news release from the Indiana Optometric Association said.
Valpo Parks:
In Valparaiso, Valpo Parks is hosting a special event during the solar eclipse. The Region isn’t in the zone of totality, but Valpo and northwest Indiana will still experience about 95-percent coverage of the sun during the early afternoon Monday April 8, 2024. Valpo Parks says it is partnering with Valparaiso University Society of Physics students from the Department of Physics and Astronomy for the event, which will begin at noon and continue until 3:30 pm Monday April 8th at Central Park Plaza in downtown Valparaiso. Locally the solar eclipse will begin around 12:45 pm Central Time and end by about 3:30 pm reaching its maximum around 2 pm Central. Valpo Parks also stressed that ISO Certified Eclipse glasses from an authorized source must be worn for viewing to avoid the risk of eye damage; a limited supply will be available for purchase for $3 each at the Valpo event. Food trucks will also be at the event. Here is a link to Valpo Parks for more details.
Indiana Dunes National Park, West Beach, Portage, Indiana:
In Portage, Indiana Dunes National Park invites Region residents to join National Park Service staff, the Friends of Indiana Dunes, and park volunteers for an informal event 12:30pm to 3:30 pm at West Beach during the solar eclipse Monday, April 8th. Meet at the contact station in the West Beach parking lot, the park said, and bring a chair or blanket. A news release also said a limited number of Eclipse Safety Glasses will be available on a first-come first served basis. Facts and activities will be shared so visitors can learn more about this historic event. Indiana Dunes National Park has an entrance fee of $25 per car for a 1-to-7-day pass. A $45 annual pass for the national park is also available. The West Beach parking lot is on North County Line Road in Portage, about one half mile north of U.S. 12. For more information on this and other programs at Indiana Dunes National Park, call 219-395-1882, visit their website .
