Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024
Rochester, NY sits directly in the path of the solar eclipse and will experience 3 minutes and 38 seconds of complete totality starting at 3:20 p.m. To learn more about the eclipse and why this is so cool for Rochester, check out www.rochestereclipse2024.org. For more information on what to expect on the day of the eclipse, visit www.monroecounty.gov/eclipse-2024.
Are there public events to view the eclipse in Rochester?
Some of the eclipse viewing events open to the public happening in the City of Rochester include:
View more eclipse event listings at Visit Rochester or the RMSC.
Are there locations I should avoid going to watch the eclipse?
- Please avoid the Pont de Rennes bridge, Charles Carroll Plaza or Running Track Bridge – they are all active construction sites.
- The Cobbs Hill Reservoir will be closed to vehicular traffic, but open to foot traffic for those who wish to view the eclipse there.
Questions? Contact the Office of Special Events
City Buildings to Close Monday, April 8 for Eclipse
- City Refuse & Recycling Collection to Remain on Schedule
- City R-Centers Open for Children and Families
In anticipation of an influx of hundreds of thousands of people into our region for the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, the following City facilities will be closed to the public:
- Rochester City Hall
- Neighborhood Service Centers
- The Loretta C. Scott Center for Human Services DRHS Administrative Offices
- City Branch Libraries and the Central Library Downtown
- Rochester Animal Services shelter
- Rochester Traffic Violations Agency Office
- Parking and Municipal Code Violations Bureau Office
- Riverside and Mt. Hope Cemeteries (accommodations will be made for morning internment services for those religions requiring burial or cremation within 24 hours)
Commercial and residential refuse and recycling collection will take place as scheduled.
The Public Safety Building, 185 Exchange St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the City’s Auto Impound will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The following City R-Centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with family friendly eclipse activities planned from 12 noon to 5 p.m.:
- Adams Street, 85 Adams St.
- Avenue D, 200 Avenue D
- Hope R-Center, 524 Campbell St.
- Carter Street, 500 Carter St.
- Trenton and Pamela Jackson, 485 N. Clinton Ave.
- David F. Gantt, 700 North St.
- Edgerton, 41 Backus St.
- Willie W. Lightfoot, 271 Flint St.
- Frederick Douglass, 999 South Ave.
- Thomas P. Ryan, 530 Webster Ave.
The City and Monroe County are advising residents to, “Be Aware. Be Prepared. Be There.”
Be Aware:
- A total Solar Eclipse will happen on Monday, April 8, 2024, when the moon will completely block out the sun, causing darkness during the day.
- Eclipse Timing: 2:07 to 4:33 p.m.
- Totality / Darkness Timing: 3:20 to 3:24 p.m. (3 minutes and 38 seconds)
- What will happen during totality:
- Deep dusk in the sky
- The temperature may fall by as much as 10 degrees
- Animals and plants may behave as if it’s nighttime
- It will feel eerily still with a sense of wonder and awe
- It will still get dark even if it’s a cloudy day
- This is an historic event that can only be seen from a few places on Earth and Rochester is one of them this year. The next total solar eclipse for Rochester won’t occur for another 120 years, on October 26, 2144.
- 300,000 to 500,000 visitors are expected to come to our region with about 150,000 of those in Monroe County. Many will arrive on Saturday, April 6 and stay through Tuesday.
Be Prepared:
- Protect Your Eyes:
- Always use ISO-Certified 12312-2:2015 eclipse glasses when looking directly into the Sun during the duration of the eclipse.
- Sunglasses don’t provide enough protection and you could damage your eyes.
- The general recommendation is to have 2 pairs of eclipse glasses per family. It’s okay to share eclipse glasses if you won’t be looking at the Sun the entire time.
- Make sure children don’t look directly at the sun by mistake.
- Plan for Traffic:
- Be prepared for traffic gridlock.
- Consider walking or biking to your destination to avoid traffic congestion.
- Be patient and allow extra time when driving to work, events and appointments.
- Traffic is expected to be the heaviest right after totality ends.
- Some streets or bridges may be closed for pedestrian viewing.
- Consider using 511NY Apps (Apple and Android) to view current travel conditions.
- If you plan to be driving during eclipse please remember to:
- Arrive early and plan to stay late at your destination.
- Avoid stopping on roadways to view the eclipse.
- Use headlights when driving.
- Fill your gas tank ahead of the eclipse.
- Have water, medications, food and appropriate clothing (boots, hats, blankets) in your vehicle.
- Medical Preparations:
- Refill prescriptions in advance.
- Avoid scheduling non-emergent medical appointments in the afternoon.
- If you have a medical condition that may require immediate access to medical assistance, consider staying closer to hospitals or urgent care facilities.
- Not a Typical Day:
- Local schools will be closed.
- Work from home if you can.
- Some businesses will be closed, work remotely or flex their hours.
- Try to not schedule routine deliveries or appointments for this day.
- Restaurants and stores may be crowded with visitors.
- Cell service could be slow.
Be There:
- Pick a place—then park it!
- Avoid the rush and get to your destination well in advance and plan to stay for the duration of the event.
- Bring what you will need for the day.