Will I Be Able To See The Solar Eclipse In Ocean City?

OCEAN CITY, NJ — In just a few short hours, the country will be able to see the once-in-a-lifetime Great American Solar Eclipse. Everyone living in the continental United States will see a partial eclipse, and those living in the path of totality will see full coverage. Hoping to catch a glimpse? Check out the hour-by-hour forecast for Ocean City and other information for today's eclipse below.

In South Jersey, the eclipse is expected to last from 1:23 p.m.-4:03 p.m., with peak time coming at 2:46 p.m. An hour-by-hour forecast by DarkSky.net shows clouds during the eclipse.

1 p.m.: 81 degrees, partly cloudy, Chances of precipitation: 1 percent

2 p.m.: 80 degrees, partly cloudy, Chances of precipitation: 2 percent

3 p.m.: 79 degrees, partly cloudy, Chances of precipitation: 2 percent

4 p.m.: 80 degress, partly cloudy, Chances of precipitation: 2 percent

5 p.m.: 80 degrees, partly cloud: Chances of precipitation: 2 percent

If you can't see the eclipse because it's cloudy or you don't have the necessary glasses, NASA is also providing live streaming coverage during the eclipse via the NASA App and on the following social media streaming sites:

• Facebook Live -- https://www.facebook.com/NASA/videos/10155497958441772/
• Twitter/Periscope -- https://www.pscp.tv/nasa
• Twitch TV -- https://twitch.tv/nasa
• Ustream -- http://www.ustream.tv/nasahdtv
• YouTube -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwMDvPCGeE0

You cannot look at the eclipse with unprotected eyes-- not even at the height of the eclipse. Looking at the sun, even with sunglasses, can cause vision loss and even blindness. If you didn't get ISO-certified eclipse glasses, you can use household items to make a pinhole camera to view the eclipse safely. Check out instructions on how here.

If you did buy glasses, make sure they're safe. Some brands sold at Jenkinson's Boardwalk this summer do not meet safety standards; read more about that here.

Another way to watch it is through the environment: if the sky is clear at around 2:45 p.m., stand in a leafy tree’s shadow and look at the ground. The smallest spots of sunlight will make little crescent shapes, showing the sun’s apparent shape as the moon crosses in front.

Welding goggles shade 12 and above are also safe, NASA says. Anything below that will not protect your eyes sufficiently and could still result in damage.

The City of Ocean City is not selling or distributing eclipse glasses.

All beaches, stores and businesses will be open and operating on a normal schedule on Monday. If you go out during the eclipse, keep the following driving tips in mind:

• Do not attempt to watch the solar eclipse while driving! The better option is to find a safe place to park, and then observe the eclipse.
• Put the sun visor down to block the view.
• Drive safely. Eagerness to view the eclipse is not an acceptable reason to drive aggressively or while distracted.
• Drive with your headlights on. Not only will you be much more visible to other drivers, your forward vision will be improved.
• Watch out for pedestrians! There may be many people standing in or along the roadway watching the eclipse.
• Be alert to the possibility of distracted drivers swerving into your lane.
• Other drivers may be attempting to watch the eclipse and drive at the same time.
• To help prevent trouble, keep additional space between you and other vehicles.
• Reduce your speed so you will have more time to make an emergency maneuver if needed.
• DO NOT Wear Eclipse Glasses While Driving

Image via NASA