The sun broke through the morning's clouds in western Pennsylvania, providing area residents the chance to see the solar eclipse on Monday.
While Pittsburgh experienced 97% totality, residents seeking full totality traveled north and west. The city of Erie expected up to 200,000 visitors today; other popular destinations within short drives include Pennsylvania's Pymatuning State Park, northeastern Ohio and Cleveland.
Erie during the solar eclipse.
The skies darkened in Warren, Ohio, during the eclipse.
Olivia Stewart (left) and Raj Rajasekaran (center) of Philadelphia gathered with Morgana Iacocca (right) of Pittsburgh at Pymatuning State Park to watch the eclipse.
Some small tree frogs at the park didn’t know what to make of the today’s total solar eclipse. Chris Davis, an aquatic ecologist and the assistant director of the Pymatuning lab of ecology, said that during totality, the spring peepers made sounds that are usually heard only at dusk.
"The light, just the change in the light and how rapidly it happened was amazing. But to hear the pring peepers get completely confused for about three minutes was pretty cool."
The state park is about an hour southwest of Erie and was in the eclipse’s path of totality. It experienced just under three minutes of darkness.
The Pirates — who are tied with the New York Yankees for the best record in baseball as of publication time — were taking batting practice in preparation for their game against the Tigers during the eclipse. Bryan Reynolds swapped out his sunglasses to get a better view.
University of Pittsburgh students Lauryn Box-Thompson (left) and Josiah Tagaro, both 19, test out their eclipse glasses in preparation for totality. Box-Thompson and Tagaro both said they're excited to observe how wildlife will react to the sun disappearing mid-afternoon."The little girl in me is screaming right now about getting to witness this," said Box-Thompson.
A view of the eclipse in Upper St. Clair.
Gov. Josh Shapiro takes in the eclipse while in Erie.
People gathered in Presque Isle State Park in Erie, in advance of the eclipse.
People observe their lengthening shadows just before totality in Warren, Ohio.
Mandy Smith (center left) of Cambria County made hotel reservations in Meadville last year so she and her family could view the 2024 eclipse at Pymatuning State Park. She's spending the day with her daughters Maylee (far left) and Keita DeRosa (far right) and fiancé Steven Tranovich.
