KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Get ready—the solar eclipse is finally here! While West Michigan will only see a deep partial eclipse on Monday, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is releasing tips for drivers to keep in mind if they're on the road this afternoon.
About 94% of the sun is expected to be covered by 3:11 p.m., which is the eclipse's peak in most of West Michigan. MSP is urging West Michiganders to stay off the road during this time in particular.
It will take until about 3:30 p.m. for the eclipse to be completely finished across West Michigan.
If you have to be out during the peak of the eclipse, MSP officials said you should stay vigilant and follow some tips to stay safe:
- Avoid travel during the height of the eclipse, if at all possible.
- Don't park along the highway or park on the shoulder in order to view the eclipse. To view, exit the roadway and find a safe place to park.
- Do not take photos while driving.
- Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving.
- Watch for pedestrians, especially on secondary roads.
- If you must travel, turn on your headlights and don't rely on automatic headlights.
There's also some safety tips to keep in mind if you're planning to watch the solar eclipse. You should never look at the eclipse without wearing special eclipse glasses. The intensity of the sun during an eclipse can cause permanent blind spots or even total blindness.
Eclipse glasses are available at most major retailers, including Meijer, Lowe's and Walmart. Many libraries or museums are also handing out glasses for free. Find a full list of where to find glasses here.
West Michigan is currently anticipating ideal conditions to see the eclipse, with mostly sunny skies and a high of 68° projected for this afternoon.
Check out our guide to the solar eclipse in West Michigan here. 13 ON YOUR SIDE will be providing special eclipse coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. You can watch on air or stream on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV.
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