What time does the solar eclipse start in the DC area? Here’s a guide to answer all your questions

In D.C., the new moon will start to cross the face of the sun at 2:04 p.m. and obscure 89% of the sun at maximum eclipse, which occurs at 3:20 p.m. The moon will shroud the sun for up to 4 minutes 28 seconds, but the entire eclipse ends at 4:32 p.m.

For more details about how the eclipse will look at your specific viewing spot, check out the resources in this article.

Clouds are expected in much of the total eclipse’s path Monday thanks to storms that are moving across the central U.S. 

However, the D.C. area has a pretty clear forecast for Monday afternoon. There will be a mix of sun and clouds, which should provide fairly good viewing conditions when the sun is eclipsed, according to 7News First Alert meteorologists.

Check WTOP’s weather page for the most updated weather forecast.

Staring directly at the sun during a solar eclipse or at any other time can lead to permanent eye damage. The eclipse is only safe to witness with the naked eye during totality, or the period of total darkness when the moon completely covers the sun.

“There are special glasses called the eclipse glasses (that) have to meet very specific worldwide standards, ISO 12312-2. It’s not just sunglasses,” Dr. Jon LaPook told WTOP. “I know it seems like a big deal, but you really have to make sure that you don’t damage those eyes.”

Check out this list of places in the D.C. region to get free eclipse glasses leading up to the solar event.

There are multitudes of viewing parties across the D.C. area, from educational events at the Smithsonian Museum’s Solar Eclipse Festival on the National Mall and the University of Maryland to nature-centered viewings at parks around Virginia.

Get more information about these events and check out WTOP’s full list of viewing parties in this article.

You can see a map from NASA below.

Or you can watch a video tracking the path.

Millions of people are expected to travel to witness the awe-inspiring total solar eclipse Monday.

When the first total solar eclipse in nearly a century took place in 2017, highways in the path of totality were “very congested” both during and after totality.

WTOP Traffic reporter Dave Dildine has some tips for those explorers headed toward the path of totality.

More and more businesses are taking advantage of the total solar eclipse to promote special deals and events.

Fast food chains and snack brands are selling limited edition versions of their products nationally. Airlines such as Southwest and Delta have advertised eclipse-viewing flight paths.

D.C.-area residents with their eyes to skies will see 89% of the sun at maximum eclipse, but there are still ways to see totality.

Here is a list of a few places to stream live footage from spots around North America that will experience totality.

The eclipse can not only damage your eyes without proper protection, the same goes for your camera. Don’t take photos or videos looking directly at the sun and moon for anything longer than the briefest glance, according to experts.

So how can you get the perfect shot of that elusive eclipse that we won’t see for another 20 years?

WTOP outlines five tips for taking smartphone photos during Monday’s solar eclipse here.

Using a more advanced camera? Check out aperture and shutter speed suggestions here.