Binghamton-Area Eclipse Enthusiasts Will Never Forget 2024

Thousands of people gathered at parks and other viewing areas around Broome County to experience the long-awaited partial solar eclipse.

Despite a sunny morning, skies across the region became increasingly cloudy Monday afternoon resulting in disappointment for those in the Binghamton area and much of upstate New York.

The Kopernik Observatory and Science Center in Vestal drew a large crowd as the peak viewing time approached but they didn't get the show they had been anticipating.

Several dozen people showed up at the normally-quiet Roundtop Picnic Area in Endicott. Some kids enjoyed lunch with their parents in the park's shelters. Other children passed the time in the playground area as they awaited the "big moment."

A few sprinkles fell over the park and the cloud cover persisted past 3:23 p.m. As the visitors walked to their nearby cars, they expressed some disappointment that the weather didn't cooperate. But most seemed happy they had the opportunity to spend some time outdoors on a Monday afternoon in April with family members, friends and strangers.

Other parks in Broome County and across the Southern Tier were more crowded as residents of all ages held their breath for a last-minute break in the clouds.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service office at the Greater Binghamton Airport in the town of Maine caught a bit of the eclipse action. The office reported on social media that staffers were able to see a bit of the partial eclipse through a hole in the clouds.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.