Solar Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse

April 8, 2024

Town Hall will not be open to the public for in-person service on this day. Staff will be working remotely and available to serve you by telephone and email. Regular in-person counter service will resume Tuesday April 9, 2024.

A total solar eclipse with the moon completely blocking the sun, leaving only the sun's glowing corona visible as a bright ring around the dark silhouette of the moon.

On Monday, April 8, 2024, Wainfleet and the Niagara Region (and many parts of the world) will experience a Total Solar Eclipse. The eclipse will move northeast across North America and pass directly over Lake Erie. During the eclipse the moon will cover the sun, causing the sky to darken for over 3.5 minutes. A once-in-a-lifetime event not to return again until 2144.

Safe Solar Eclipse Viewing

The Township of Wainfleet will NOT be providing viewing glasses to residents or visitors.

Visit Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers & Filters for more information

Always inspect your solar filter before use; discard it if scratched, punctured, torn, or otherwise damaged. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
Always supervise children using solar filters.
If you usually wear eyeglasses, keep them on. Put your eclipse glasses on over them, or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright Sun. After looking at the Sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the Sun.
Do not look at the uneclipsed, partially eclipsed, or annularly eclipsed Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
Similarly, do not look at the Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer in front of your eyes — the concentrated solar rays could damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing severe injury.
Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device; note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics

Safe Solar Eclipse Viewing Diagram

Niagara Region Public Health Resources

https://www.niagararegion.ca/solar-eclipse/safety.aspx

Temporary Road Closures

With the estimated increase in visitors coming to the township, to ensure the safety of the the residents and access for emergency vehicles, staff have identified roads and areas with which temporary parking restrictions, increased penalties and closures should be implemented.

The Township has passed a Temporary Special Events By-law that not only closes local roadways, but also implements additional restricted parking zones and increased parking fines.

Map of wainfleet with road closures highlighted in red.

Temporary Restricted Parking Zones

The Township has passed a Temporary Special Events By-law that not only closes local roadways, but also implements additional restricted parking zones and increases parking fines.

Burkett Road & Minor Road

Map showing Long Beach Conservation Area and Campground located along the shore. The campground is marked with a tent icon and includes several winding roads and campsites.

Augustine Beach Area

Street map showing roads and buildings along a shoreline, with green areas and water labelled as Long Beach.

Lakeshore & Golf Course Road Area

Map showing a residential area near a body of water, with streets marked in red and white. Roads include Golf Course Road, Lakeshore Road, and multiple smaller streets such as Tyler, Baldwin, and Maple.

Solar Eclipse Resources and Partner Links

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Eclipse occur?

Where will the Eclipse Happen?

What is a Total Solar Eclipse experience like?

What is a Total Solar Eclipse?

A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the earth. A total solar eclipse is the same process, but the moon completely blocks the sun. Being in the direct path, Fort Erie will experience a dark sky, and the sun's corona will be visible for approximately 3-5 minutes. It is unsafe to look at the eclipse without specialized eye protection, visit Solar Eclipse Safe Viewing for full instructions.

How long will the moon cover the sun in Wainfleet?

Depending on exactly where you are along the path of totality and how close you are to its centre-line, the duration of totality changes.

The longest duration total eclipse seen from Canada for this event will be in the location that is farthest to the southwest along the path of totality, as well as closest to the centre of the path (see the dotted line on the map below, click to enlarge).

Wainfleet along with other locations along the northeastern shores of Lake Erie and southeastern Niagara Peninsula will see at least 3 minutes and 30 seconds of totality.

When will the next Eclipse be?

What Time will the Eclipse start?

Where can I watch the Total Solar Eclipse in Wainfleet?

The entire Township is in the "Path of Totality" and the safest place to view the eclipse is at home.

It is strongly encouraged that residents avoid unnecesary travel before, during and after the eclipse.

While the Township of Wainfleet does not have any dedicated viewing areas, its public beaches and parks are open. Additionally, the NPCA is opening their properties for day use as viewing sites.

A map highlighting the Wainfleet area in Ontario, with prominent roads, landmarks, and boundaries. Key locations such as West Lincoln, Pelham, and Port Colborne are also marked.

Where can I get Solar Eclipse glasses/viewers?

Will the Eclipse still be visible with overcast skies?

What is the path of the Eclipse?