NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – After months of anticipation, the Great American Eclipse is set to wow millions on Monday afternoon, with a partial eclipse visible in New York City. While the path of totality doesn't pass through the five boroughs, about 90% of the sun will be covered by the moon. The eclipse will begin around 2:10 p.m., peak around 3:25 p.m. and end shortly after 4:30 p.m. Don't forget to wear eclipse glasses and check out our guide with everything you need to know.
NYC ECLIPSE TIMELINE:
Total duration: 2 hours and 26 minutes
• 2:10 p.m. -- Eclipse begins as the moon starts to cover the sun.
• 3:25 p.m. -- Maximum eclipse, where the coverage of the sun is at its peak.
• 4:36 p.m. -- Eclipse ends as the moon and sun part ways.
HERE'S THE LATEST:
3:25 p.m. Maximum eclipse, moon covers most of the sun in New York City
New York City witnessed the peak of the eclipse at 3:25 p.m. Excited crowds gathered all over the city, from rooftops to parks, to catch a glimpse of this rare celestial event. People of all ages and backgrounds came together, sharing the excitement and wonder as the moon covered more and more of the sun across the city.
The crowd at the Top of the Rock watched eagerly as the eclipse reached its peak, with nearly 90% coverage for the city. Despite occasional cloud cover, the excitement was palpable as New Yorkers waited for glimpses of the rare event.
Solar eclipse observed from Staten Island; lucky viewers capture stunning shots.
2:10 p.m. -- Eclipse begins: moon starts to cover the sun in New York City
In New York City, the Eclipse begins as the moon's edge gradually covers the sun's edge, marking the start of the event.
Hofstra University students gather for a lively party to witness the solar eclipse together, sharing excitement and anticipation as they await the celestial event.
2:05 p.m. -- Total solar eclipse makes landfall in North America over Mexico
A total solar eclipse has reached North America over Mexico as throngs gather along the country’s Pacific coast. It’ll race toward United States and eastern Canada before exiting into the Atlantic.
1:30 p.m. – NASA livestream begins
NASA started its livestream of the sun around 1 p.m. ET. The moon was already beginning to move across the sun in Mexico and Texas, video shows. Watch the livestream towards the top of this story.
1 p.m. – Biden takes subtle dig at Trump in eye protection PSA
President Joe Biden posted a brief video on X to encourage Americans to wear eye protection when viewing the eclipse – in a subtle dig at his predecessor and 2024 rival, former President Donald Trump.
“Folks, enjoy the eclipse, but play it safe, don’t be silly,” Biden said in a video showing him donning eclipse glasses and looking skyward from the balcony outside the Blue Room of the White House.
That’s the spot where Trump glanced up toward the sun without eye protection in 2017.
Biden is traveling to Wisconsin, which, like Washington, will experience a partial eclipse on Monday.
12 p.m. – Partial eclipse begins over South Pacific
The moon has started to cover up the sun as a partial eclipse begins over the South Pacific. Millions along a narrow corridor in North America from Mexico’s Pacific coast to eastern Canada hope for clouds to clear as they eagerly wait for totality to reach their location. The eclipse path will move northeast, traveling diagonally across the U.S., from Texas to northern Maine.
11:25 a.m. -- NYC observation decks fill with eclipse viewers
Viewing parties are taking place at observation decks in Manhattan, including the Edge at Hudson Yards, Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building Observatory, and One World Observatory at the WTC.
11 a.m. – Stargazers gather in Niagara Falls for eclipse
Crowds were gathering at Niagara Falls State Park for the eclipse. While the park is in the path of totality, variable cloudiness are in the forecast, which is the case for a swath of upstate where visitors have flocked to catch a glimpse of the eclipse.
10 a.m. – WINS and 880 gear up for eclipse
1010 WINS and WCBS 880's eclipse coverage includes a team spanning from Central Park to Long Island and upstate.
WCBS 880 anchor Steve Scott and 1010 WINS reporter Glenn Schuck showed off their eclipse glasses ahead of the celestial show.
8:45 a.m. – Millions across North America to look up
Tuesday's eclipse promises to be North America’s biggest eclipse crowd ever, with almost everyone on the continent guaranteed at least a partial eclipse, weather permitting.
It will take just 1 hour, 40 minutes for the moon's shadow to race more than 4,000 miles across the continent.
The path of totality — approximately 115 miles wide — encompasses several major cities this time, including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester and Montreal.
An estimated 44 million people live within the track, with a couple hundred million more within 200 miles.
Experts from NASA and scores of universities are posted along the route, poised to launch research rockets and weather balloons, and conduct experiments.
The International Space Station’s seven astronauts also will be on the lookout, 270 miles up.
8:30 a.m. – Cloud cover may impact view of eclipse in NYC
According to AccuWeather, Monday morning's sunshine will begin to fade behind high clouds by afternoon, throwing a variable into New Yorkers' eclipse viewing plans.
High clouds may dim the sun, but New Yorkers should still get the effect of the eclipse, even if it's a bit obscured.
Clouds will be more of an issue the further west you go from the city, with clearer skies expected to the east and northeast, including along the North Shore of Long Island, where it should be sunny all day.
Cloud cover in the NYC area could range from 10% in the eastern most parts to 30%, 40% or even 50% further towards the west.
It will otherwise be a nice and mild spring afternoon, with a high of 65 degrees in Midtown Manhattan.
8:30 a.m. – NY state has been preparing for eclipse for 18 months
New York state has been preparing for the eclipse since October 2022, when Gov. Kathy Hochul convened an Interagency Task Force comprised of nearly two dozen state agencies and authorities to ensure safety during the "once-in-a-generation event."
People from all over the country have flocked to New York as a swath of upstate around Rochester and Buffalo is in the path of totality. In Niagara Falls, the total solar eclipse will be viewable for 3 minutes and 30 seconds, from a little after 3:18 p.m. to around 3:22 p.m.
The New York State Police, Department of Transportation and Thruway Authority have been preparing for a high volume of traffic, while state agencies have been working with localities to ensure communities have the tools to manage an influx of visitors.
The state has also been getting the word out about proper eye protection and how to avoid scams, fake merchandise and phony accommodation listings.
In a statement Sunday, Hochul said: “This truly is a once-in-a-generation event, and my administration has been working for 18 months to ensure a safe and enjoyable viewing experience for all. With our world class parks and charming downtowns, I encourage visitors to come for the eclipse, but stay for all that New York has to offer.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.