Brandy Campbell will be headlining FOX Weather's solar eclipse coverage live from Rochester, NY. Notably, this is the last total solar eclipse the country will see for another 20 years.
As an expert in the world of weather, she is certainly the person to consult before heading off on a trip and determining whether to bring rain boots or not, but during FOX Weather's marathon coverage of the solar eclipse, Brandy explains some of the science behind the phenomenon, must haves for viewing the eclipse and her tips when she's packing for all sorts of weather!
Any special reason you will be viewing the solar eclipse from Rochester, NY? Is there anything special about this eclipse compared to others?
Our team of correspondents and meteorologists is reporting from several cities across the US that are in the path of totality, and I was lucky enough to get assigned to Rochester. It's one of the last major US cities to see the eclipse, with totality lasting over Rochester for 3 minutes and 41 seconds, according to NASA. This will be my first time visiting, and I cannot wait to get there.
The 2024 total solar eclipse is special as it's the last one we will see in the United States until 2044. It will also be visible to millions of people, many of whom won't have to leave their city to witness it. Its path across the US starts at the southern Texas border and travels northeast to Maine, passing through more densely populated cities than the last total solar eclipse in 2017. To make it better, the path is wider, and the duration of totality lasts longer than it did during the 2017 eclipse.
What are the must-haves for viewing the eclipse?
Don't forget your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer. Even cameras need protection too, so don't forget solar filters for cameras that will be used, including your phones! Personally, I'll make sure to have sunscreen on and bring snacks!
Any other insider tips about the science behind this phenomenon?
You can see action from the sun that isn't visible on a normal day! I learned from NASA that this is an active period for the sun. NASA says the sun will be in or near solar maximum during this 2024 eclipse. Once we can see the eclipse in totality, we may be able to see more activity from the sun's corona, such as solar flares. NASA noted if you're lucky, you may see a large eruption of solar material.
If you were going on an around-the-world cruise from the hot, rainy tropics on the Equator to polar regions above the Arctic Circle, what essential outerwear and footwear would you pack to travel as lightly as possible but also be prepared for anything?
I am a very heavy packer, so this will be a challenge, but I could do it! I would bring one pair of sandals, sneakers, and snow boots. For the tropical areas, I would pack swimsuits and shorts as they don't take up much space! You can't skimp on clothing for the cold, so I wouldn't leave without my coat, snow pants, thermals and gloves. However, this would mean visiting the laundromat quite often to reuse my clothes!
Anything else you’d like to add that we haven’t covered?
If you can't watch this total solar eclipse but you love to travel like I do, research when the next eclipse is happening internationally. A trip abroad and a total solar eclipse sounds nice to me! Brandy Campbell
