Niagara Falls, NY and Erie, PA are expected to see cloudy weather during a rare total solar eclipse, stealing the thunder from the celestial event. Niagara Falls, in particular, is a popular spot in the eclipse’s 15-state path, with an estimated 1 million visitors planning to visit the Buffalo area to witness the phenomenon. The city sees an average of 14 million visitors per year and has been listed by National Geographic as one of the best places to see the eclipse, which has not been seen in the area since 1979.
The Canadian side of Niagara Falls has preemptively declared a state of emergency to prepare for the influx of visitors, allowing for additional planning to handle potential issues such as traffic jams, cell phone network overloads, and increased emergency services needs. The declaration, made by Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley, has received backlash from advocacy groups, with the Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) filing a notice of application for a judicial review of the decision. The state of emergency remains in effect as of now.
In Erie, PA, hotels are nearly sold out and rooms that are available are being priced at a hefty $1,000 a night as close to 200,000 people are expected to visit the region for the eclipse. The mayor of Erie, Joe Schember, stated that this event will bring the most people the city has ever seen, with revenue estimated to reach up to $50 million. Despite the disappointing weather predictions, officials are assuring visitors that there will still be plenty to do during the eclipse, such as experiencing the total darkness, temperature drop, and the stirring of nocturnal animals.
Both Niagara Falls and Erie are within the path where the moon will entirely block the sun for a few minutes, making them prime locations for stargazers to witness the celestial event. The anticipation for the eclipse has drawn mass crowds to the region, causing concerns about potential impacts such as increased traffic, communication network issues, and emergency service requirements. Despite the weather projections indicating cloudy skies and rain, officials are hopeful that visitors will still be able to enjoy the unique experience of the total solar eclipse.
Ultimately, the total solar eclipse is expected to bring both economic benefits and challenges to Niagara Falls, NY and Erie, PA, with massive crowds descending on the regions in hopes of catching a glimpse of the celestial wonder. The high demand for accommodations and the potential for adverse weather conditions have created a mix of excitement and uncertainty for both residents and visitors. While there may be challenges to overcome, officials and local businesses are working to ensure that everyone has a memorable experience during the rare event, despite the weather potentially stealing the show.
