2024 solar eclipse in Hornell, New York this afternoon: Live updates

The wait is over.

New Yorkers will have the chance to view a potentially once-in-a-lifetime event this afternoon: a total solar eclipse.

The moon will pass directly between the Earth and the sun, creating a total solar eclipse which will block the face of the sun and darken the sky.

While Hornell is not in the direct path of totality, a deep partial eclipse will still be visible, weather conditions permitting.

And the total eclipse experience will be available just down the road in communities like Dansville and Canaseraga, which are in the path of totality.

We'll be updating this story with live photos and local reaction as the day unfolds. Check back soon.

Eclipse sweeps through Hornell, Dansville

Large crowds turned out to public parks in Hornell and Dansville to witness the eclipse on a cloudy Monday afternoon.

In Hornell, Mother Nature cooperated at Shawmut Park as the sun peeked through the clouds several times during the eclipse, allowing good views of the rare celestial event. The eclipse peaked shortly after 3:20 p.m. as temperatures dropped slightly and the skies darkened.

Dansville was in the full path of totality. Williams Park attracted a strong crowd of eclipse viewers, with some from as far away as Maryland and Philadelphia.

Check out this photo gallery and stay tuned for additional community reaction.

Big crowd for Shawmut Park watch party. Here's how many eclipse glasses are left

A big crowd streamed into Shawmut Park in Hornell Monday afternoon for a special eclipse watch party. Around 30 vendors are set up, with eclipse-themed STEM activities, games and playgrounds available for kids, along with food vendors, craft vendors, raffles, face painting and music.

Free eclipse glasses are being handed out at the event. About 900 remained shortly after 1 p.m., according to HPG Business Improvement District Manager Val Whitehill.

Cloudy skies still lingered in the area around 2 p.m., about 80 minutes before the peak of the eclipse in Hornell.

“We’re making the best of it. We’ve got vendors, we’ve got food, we’ve got activities for the kids,” said Whitehill.

The cloud cover persisted Monday afternoon a short drive north in Dansville, which sits in the path of totality. Even so, local residents and out of town travelers were taking to Dansville parks in preparation for the event.

What is the eclipse weather forecast for the Hornell region?

Keep checking our Accuweather forecast for the latest weather updates. And cross your fingers for clear skies!

How will your dog react during the eclipse?

Jeff Reibert, pet supplies buyer for CountryMax, a New York-based farm supply and feed store said in a release that on a normal day, dogs don’t try to look at the sun, making it unlikely they will during the eclipse.

But like their human counterparts if they do there could be damage to their eyes. The advice is to keep pets inside during the eclipse. He noted to watch for excessive barking, cowering or signs of stress.

What's going on across the country?

The USA TODAY Network will be following the eclipse from southern Texas to northern Maine. Find more coverage here: www.usatoday.com/news/solar-eclipse-2024.

The rare event − where the shadow of the moon plunges a narrow strip of land into darkness in the middle of the day − is an astronomical experience like no other that will be unusually accessible to millions of people.

Shawmut Park ready to welcome eclipse watchers

In Hornell, Shawmut Park will feature NASA live streaming, food vendors, craft vendors, raffles, face painting, music and several eclipse-themed science activities from noon to 5 p.m.

Organizers were already on scene Monday morning preparing to welcome as many as 1,000 visitors.

The Hornell Public Library has been giving away 700 pairs of eclipse glasses free of charge, and event organizers expect to have several hundred more pairs available at the park.

Skies were mostly cloudy around 10 a.m.

Chance of clear skies in Hornell for eclipse

The Southern Tier region's climate history suggests there will be clouds on April 8. As of Monday morning, the National Weather Service forecast for the eclipse is mostly cloudy with a high near 61 degrees in Hornell. There is a slight chance of showers after 3 p.m. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Coming off an early April storm that brought heavy rain and wind to the region, an early AccuWeather forecast suggested the clear zone that develops in its wake could be in "just the right spot" for good viewing conditions for the eclipse.

Hornell will see partial solar eclipse after 3 p.m.

The path of totality will enter in the southwestern part of New York just after 3:15 p.m. April 8 and will depart northern New York just before 3:30 p.m.

Most towns in the Hornell area will begin to glimpse the peak of the eclipse starting around 3:20 p.m. The eclipse will start at 2:06:30 p.m. in Hornell, peak at 3:21:30 p.m. and end at 4:33:20 p.m.

Find specific viewing times across the Southern Tier and the rest of New York here or search by zip code.

Dansville, other areas nearby will see total eclipse

Nearby Dansville is in the path of totality. The Dansville airport and Stony Brook State Park may attract crowds of eclipse viewers. The eclipse will peak at 3:20:28 p.m. in Dansville and last for 2:13. Monday's forecast for Dansville called for mostly cloudy skies with a high near 67 on Monday.

Further north, the Livingston County Museum in Geneseo will offer tent camping on the front lawn.

The northern half of Allegany County is also in the path of totality, including Canaseraga, Angelica, Houghton, Fillmore and Cuba.

Livingston County lands fully in the path of totality and is expecting heavy eclipse traffic, with an influx of visitors selling out hotels and Airbnb rentals.

More:Your ultimate guide to viewing the 2024 partial solar eclipse in Hornell, New York

Share your eclipse photos with The Spectator

If you have photos of your family viewing the eclipse and would like to share them with The Spectator, email news@eveningtribune.com

They may appear in print or in an online photo gallery.

-- This live blog will be updated throughout the day.