Greater Alexandria Solar Eclipse: Weather, Where To Watch

GREATER ALEXANDRIA, VA — The solar eclipse is less than two weeks away, and as excitement builds to witness this once (or twice) in a lifetime event, there's a few things you should keep in mind as the date approaches. Everything you need to know about the eclipse in Greater Alexandria, including what time it happens, the weather forecast, safety tips, where you can get special glasses, and more is below.

What time will it happen, and how much of the sun will be covered? On Aug. 21 at about 2:42 p.m., about 80 percent of the sun will be covered up by the moon in the Alexandria area. Some part of the sun will be covered from 1:17 p.m. until 4:01 p.m.

Why is this such a big deal? It will be the first total solar eclipse to pass through the continental United States in 38 years. The next one will happen just seven years from now in 2024.

SEE ALSO: Total Solar Eclipse 2017: Best Spots To See It In Virginia, DC

What's the weather forecast looking like for that day? Hopefully the skies can stay clear, at least when the solar eclipse is visible on the East Coast. But it looks like thunderstorms may be in the forecast after 2 p.m. According to the National Weather Service, Northern Virginia has a 40 percent chance of precipitation.

See What Happens During A Total Solar Eclipse

What is Fairfax County doing in advance of the event? The Fairfax County Park Authority will be partnering with public schools and the library to "provide residents with eclipse learning opportunities," according to a statement.

"There will be at least 13 programs before the day of the event as well as six programs on the day of the eclipse," the statement adds. "Nature, history, and lakefront parks will be part of the effort, as will RECenters, libraries and schools."

You can find more about the Park Authority's Eclipse Programs on their website.

What should I know about safety during the eclipse? Even during an eclipse, you should never, ever, ever look at the sun directly, as it will cause permanent damage to your eyes. The only exception is the few moments when the sun is completely covered by the moon in the "band of totality." Since we aren't located in the band of totality, that doesn't apply to us.

Special glasses are available to view the sun during the eclipse. Only use those, or a pinhole projector, to view the solar eclipse.

Where can I get these special glasses? The Park Foundation will provide a limited number of solar viewing glasses, which will be distributed at the programs. These glasses are important to avoid severe eye damage while watching the eclipse. You should never stare directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, without special glasses.

If you'd like to just order them, they're available on Amazon for about $15 each. However, be warned: some glasses are counterfeit or at least simply not certified for eclipse viewing, and you could damage your eyes by using them.

Just because they're stamped with an ISO seal, indicating they comply with standards set by the International Organization for Standardization, that doesn't mean they're safe as anyone can put that stamp on them. Reports have emerged that companies have been printing the ISO logo and certification label on fake eclipse glasses to make a quick buck. Some are even putting falsified test results on their websites. The American Astronomical Society has posted a list of vendors that are approved to produce eclipse glasses.

By Patch Editor Dan Taylor

Image via NASA