On April 8, 2024, a complete solar eclipse will make its way across North America, traversing 15 U.S. states in the process. Astronomical enthusiasts can refer to maps to get a glimpse of where and when to see this significant event.
The full eclipse will initially be seen along the Pacific coastline of Mexico at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. It will then traverse a large section of the U.S. beginning from Texas and finishing in Maine before making its way into Canada.
Approximately 31.6 million individuals reside within the totality path, the area where the sun is completely obscured by the moon as per NASA. The belt ranges from 108 to 122 miles wide with an extra 150 million individuals living within 200 miles of the total eclipse path.
2024 eclipse path of totality map
![United states map showing the path of the 2024 solar eclipse and specific regions of what the eclipse duration will be.](https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/vk9fI/full.png)
The complete solar eclipse commences over the Pacific Ocean, the first landmark in continental North America to experience totality will be Mexico’s Pacific coastline, around 11:07 a.m. PDT on April 8 as per NASA. Afterward, the eclipse’s path will journey into Texas and then cross 12 other states before it graces Canada in the Southern part of Ontario. The eclipse will conclude in continental North America near 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.
The eclipse path of totality includes the following states:
Smaller regions of Tennessee and Michigan will also see the total eclipse.
Several major U.S. cities fall within the eclipse’s path of totality while numerous others can behold a partial eclipse. Provided that the weather is suitable, here are some of the primary cities where observers can experience the eclipse:
- San Antonio, Texas (partially included in the path)
- Austin, Texas
- Waco, Texas
- Dallas, Texas
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Dayton, Ohio
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Buffalo, New York
- Rochester, New York
- Syracuse, New York
- Burlington, Vermont
Time of total eclipse as per the path
In the U.S., the eclipse will commence in the afternoon of April 8. The partial eclipse will start from 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas turning into a full eclipse by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and continuing in a northeasterly fashion over the next couple of hours.
NASA has shared the times for several cities located in the path of totality across the U.S. You can also use NASA’s map and input your ZIP code to know when the eclipse will reach your location if you’re located in or near the totality path.
Extent of Eclipse outside the totality path
Even though a large part of the U.S. will experience the April 8th eclipse, those outside of the totality path may only see a partial eclipse where the moon is not entirely covering the sun as per NASA. The closer your location is to the path of totality, the more of the sun will be obscured.
To see the extent of the sun’s coverage at their location, viewers can input their ZIP code on NASA’s website.
Possibility of cloud cover during the solar eclipse?
In comparison to other areas along the totality path, some regions are more prone to cloud cover, which could affect the observation of the eclipse. Here’s a map that illustrates the historical trends of cloud cover at that time.
You can verify the latest forecast for your region with our partners at The Weather Channel.
![United States map showing the percent of cloud cover in various regions of the eclipse path on April 8. The lakeshore region will be primarily affected.](https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/xyuwt/full.png)
Where will the solar eclipse have the longest totality duration?
Folks near Torreón, Mexico will enjoy the longest totality with a duration of 4 minutes, 28 seconds as per NASA.
As per NASA, most areas along the centre line of totality will observe a totality phase between 3.5 minutes and 4 minutes. Several places in the U.S. such as Kerrville, Texas are close to the maximum and will have a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.
What will the totality path be for the 2044 solar eclipse?
Following the April 8th eclipse, the next complete solar eclipse visible from the U.S. will occur on August 23, 2044.
The Planetary Society indicates that observers in the U.S. will have significantly fewer opportunities to experience the 2044 eclipse compared to the one scheduled for April 8. NASA has yet to release maps for the 2044 eclipse, but the totality is expected to cover only three states.
The eclipse in 2044 will start at Greenland, pass Canada, and concludes as the sun sets over Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota as per the Planetary Society.
![Map showing the path of the 2044 total solar eclipse from Greenland, Canada and parts of the United States.](https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/UYwlW/full.png)
A total solar eclipse crosses North America on April 8, 2024, with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show where and when astronomy fans can see the big event.
The total eclipse will first appear along Mexico’s Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then travel across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.
About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality, the area where the moon will fully block out the sun, according to NASA. The path will range between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.
Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024
![United states map showing the path of the 2024 solar eclipse and specific regions of what the eclipse duration will be.](https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/vk9fI/full.png)
The total solar eclipse will start over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that will experience totality is Mexico’s Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT on April 8, according to NASA. From there, the path will continue into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse will exit continental North America around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.
The path of totality includes the following states:
Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse.
Several major cities across the U.S. are included in the eclipse’s path of totality, while many others will see a partial eclipse. Here are some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — if the weather cooperates:
- San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
- Austin, Texas
- Waco, Texas
- Dallas, Texas
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Dayton, Ohio
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Buffalo, New York
- Rochester, New York
- Syracuse, New York
- Burlington, Vermont
Map of when the solar eclipse will reach totality across the path
NASA
The eclipse will begin in the U.S. on the afternoon of April 8. It will first be visible as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and progressing along its path to the northeast over the next few hours.
NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. You can also check your ZIP code on NASA’s map to see when the eclipse will reach you if you’re on, or near, the path of totality.
How much of the eclipse will you see if you live outside of the totality path?
While the April 8 eclipse will cover a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may spot a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer you are to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that will be hidden.
NASA allows viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun will be covered in their location.
Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?
Some areas along the path of totality have a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year.
You can check the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel.
![United States map showing the percent of cloud cover in various regions of the eclipse path on April 8. The lakeshore region will be primarily affected.](https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/xyuwt/full.png)
Where will the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?
Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, will get to experience totality for the longest. Totality there will last 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA.
Most places along the centerline of the path of totality will see a totality duration between 3.5 and 4 minutes long, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. come close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, will have a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.
What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?
After the April 8 eclipse, the next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.
Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse than the upcoming one on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse, but, according to The Planetary Society, the path of totality will only touch three states.
The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.
![Map showing the path of the 2044 total solar eclipse from Greenland, Canada and parts of the United States.](https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/UYwlW/full.png)