The details
People in the cities will experience a deep partial solar eclipse, which is when a significant portion of the sun is obscured by the passing moon, resulting in noticeable darkening of the sky and a crescent shape visible to observers, according to NASA’s website.
During the eclipse, clouds are expected with breaks of sun, a possibility of showers and thunderstorms later in the day in both New Braunfels and San Antonio, according to AccuWeather.
According to news releases from the cities, here are the eclipse visibility details:
- Eclipse begins: 12:15 p.m.
- Maximum coverage: 1:35 p.m.
- Eclipse ends: 2:56 p.m.
“New Braunfels is no stranger to an increase in visitors to our city,” City Manager Robert Camareno said in an April 2 news release from the city of New Braunfels.
What you need to know
New Braunfels ISD, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, Judson ISD, Northeast ISD and Northside ISD all will have a regular class schedule, according to their respective websites.
Comal ISD—a large part of which is in the path of totality—canceled classes, according to a news release.
The approach
In light of the upcoming eclipse, Camareno highlighted additional measures in place.
According to the release, the extra preparations include:
- Additional police officers on patrol to assist with calls for service
- Full staffing at all six fire department stations
- Additional 911 dispatchers to handle increased call volume
- City fleet vehicles prepared and staged if needed
- Solid waste and recycling routes starting early on April 8
- The emergency operations center will be operational during the eclipse
- All city facilities and departments will be open during regular business hours
Ahead of the solar eclipse, city officials urge residents and visitors to heed traffic warnings to prepare for potential road disruptions and ensure a safe experience during the event.
Heavy traffic is expected during the eclipse, according to a Feb. 29 news release from the Texas Department of Transportation. Here are some safety tips for being on the road:
- Watch out for distracted pedestrians.
- Keep headlights on while driving.
- Avoid wearing eclipse glasses while driving.
- Park safely away from traffic before viewing the eclipse.
Residents in San Antonio can pick up a free pair of eclipse glasses at any city parks and recreation community center, according to the city’s website.
