2024 total solar eclipse: Live updates (2024)

OHIO, USA — It's here! The long-awaited total solar eclipse has arrived and WTOL 11 has been there every step of the way getting you ready.

Our team is stretched out all over northwest Ohio bringing you coverage of this event.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the total eclipse of the sun right here in our area. Here are the top five cities in northwest Ohio with the greatest time in totality (in minutes).

Entering the U.S. through Texas, the solar eclipse will begin its partial eclipse phase at around 12:20 pm in CDT in Dallas on Monday, according to NASA.

Totality is set to begin around 1:40 p.m. CDT until 1:44 p.m. CDT in Dallas, before completely ending at 3 p.m. CDT.

The eclipse will approach the east coast at around 1:59 p.m. EDT, in Cleveland, Ohio. Totality will begin at 3:13 p.m. and end at 3:17 p.m. EDT.

Grab those safe solar eclipse viewing glasses and follow along for updates here:

9 p.m. Six hours after totality in northwest Ohio, an almost 15-mile traffic jam at the Ohio-Michigan state line faces drivers returning home after the day's events.

5:54 p.m. -Totality at BGSU at 3:11 p.m.

5:50 p.m. -The University of Toledo shares a timelapse of the eclipse on their campus.

5:40 p.m. -Watch timelapse videos as the total solar eclipse rolls through northwest Ohio.

4:30 p.m. -Traffic congestion observed.

3:12:18 -Toledo enters totality

2:55 p.m. -Reminder of when you can remove your eclipse glasses and when you need to be wearing them.

2:28 p.m. -View of the partial eclipse in Ottawa, Ohio from viewer Matt Schwertner.

2:25 p.m. -Maumee Bay State Park is at capacity, ODNR said. Visitors are asked to seek nearby locations.

1:56 p.m. -The partial eclipse has begun. The darkness of totality will arrive at 3:12 p.m.

1:36 p.m. -The City of Perrysburg says Woodlands Park is busy with eclipse watchers...and a wedding!

1 p.m. -The Toledo Zoo says all parking spots are currently full and they cannot guarantee parking will be available for the rest of the day.

12:30 p.m. -Festivities continue at The University of Toledo, as well as Bowling Green State University.

Noon -WTOL 11 is live for six hours of coverage across northwest Ohio.

11:30 a.m. -Traffic increases observed.

11 a.m. -Follow the WTOL 11 team behind the scenes in this gallery of photos, which will be continually updated throughout the day.

10:30 a.m. -Increased southbound traffic observed at the Ohio-Michigan border.

10 a.m. -Don't forget: All lanes on the Ohio Turnpike are open today to make travel move more smoothly.

9 a.m. -Eclipse viewing parties around the community are gearing up for visitors, including at Imagination Station and Promenade Park.

8 a.m. - Tiffin residents and visitors are celebrating the eclipse with plenty of events and activities.

7:45 a.m. - Many city and county offices will be closed due to the eclipse.

7:30 a.m. - Some downtown Toledo roads will be closed due to eclipse celebrations.

7:15 a.m.- Forecast shows viewing will be excellent for eclipse-watchers in Toledo.