Here's what not to do during the total solar eclipse on April 8th

Eye protection is a must when it comes to viewing April's total solar eclipse

If you're among the millions of people who will get the chance to witness April's total solar eclipse, you're going to want to use eye protection. Vitreoretinal surgeon at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai Dr. Avnish Deobhakta joined FOX Weather on Sunday to explain the dangers of viewing the eclipse without proper eye protection.

Except for the lucky people in the path of totality, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without the proper eye protection - and sunglasses won't cut it.

To safely view the total solar eclipse in 2024, you'll need glasses with solar filters, also known as "eclipse glasses," or with handheld solar viewers. According to the American Astronomical Society, those glasses or handheld solar viewers need to meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for direct Sun viewing.

Only when the Sun is covered completely will it be safe to remove eclipse glasses, and they must go back on before the partial eclipse resumes and portions of the Sun become visible again. Even if clouds obstruct your view during the April 8 total solar eclipse, special glasses or handheld viewers still need to be used. Cloud cover is not enough to protect your eyesight from the Sun's rays.

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How to watch the total solar eclipse live

FOX Weather will stream the total solar eclipse live on April 8 from different points along the path of totality. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray explains how he plans to capture the eclipse from Indiana. 

NASA said it is imperative that people do not look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer because the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and will cause a serious eye injury.

If you find yourself driving during the eclipse, do not wear eclipse glasses. Instead, pull your car's visor down to block out the Sun.

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Solar eclipse travel could be treacherous

For those living in the narrow path of totality, little, if any, travel will be necessary to take in the full astronomical event.

However, people from across the U.S., and likely the world, will descend upon communities that aren't used to the popularity, and that has officials concerned.

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FAA warns of impacts to air travel during April 8 eclipse

More than 30 million Americans are estimated to live in the path of totality, with many millions more expected to travel to the 15 states where the event will be visible. The FAA highlighted airports in Dallas, Indianapolis, and Cleveland as being at risk for delays during the eclipse.

So much so that several cities and towns have issued disaster declarations or declared states of emergency, while others decided to close schools due to the expected increase in traffic and to keep kids safe from distracted drivers during dismissal time.

In a letter sent to parents of students enrolled in Livingston Public Schools in New Jersey, Superintendent Matthew J. Block said they made the decision to dismiss early on April 8th due to safety concerns after consulting with the district physician.

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Do not drive and try to watch the eclipse

One of the most important things you shouldn't do is try to watch the solar eclipse while driving. Also, don't take photos or record videos of the eclipse while driving. Instead, find a safe spot to park and watch the eclipse.

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Eclipse travel searches spike 1,100% for stays along path of totality

We're officially less than one month away from America's total solar eclipse. The last total eclipse in the U.S. was back in 2017. After this one, the next isn't until 2044. So how can you make sure you enjoy this celestial event to the fullest? Travel expert Dayvee Sutton joins FOX Weather to tell you how. (Video from March 9, 2024)

Traffic could be a nightmare, especially in more heavily populated areas within the path of totality, such as Dallas in Texas, Little Rock in Arkansas, Paducah in Kentucky, Cleveland in Ohio, and Buffalo in New York, to name a few.

New York State Police said they are working closely with communities in the path of totality and are warning people to prepare for an increase in traffic. NYSP said patrol coverage in areas in the path of totality will be enhanced, and additional troopers will be deployed to focus on roadways that will likely be impacted.

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Making It Rain: Upcoming total eclipse promising tourism surge

The solar eclipse on April 8 is a highly anticipated event and is expected to cause a surge in tourism as it passes diagonally across the U.S from south to east. FOX Weather Meteorologist Jason Frazer provides more information on this exciting phenomenon.

"Motorists who must travel in areas impacted by the eclipse are asked to allow for extra travel time to ensure a careful drive to their destination as we do anticipate large volumes of traffic," NYSP said in a news release. "We also remind the public to watch the eclipse from designated viewing areas and to avoid stopping on controlled access highways unless there is an emergency."

If the weather doesn't cooperate in cities within the path of totality, traffic could end up being worse, with people trying to get onto roads and highways to find better eclipse viewing conditions.