Several local and area school systems will dismiss early tomorrow (Monday, April 8, 2024), for the solar eclipse.

Much of Tennessee will be in near-total darkness as the eclipse takes place.

But the eclipse won’t be a total one, since the closest path of totality will be some 260 miles away in the northwest corner of Tennessee.

In 2017, most of the area, including Crossville, plunged into darkness as the moon nearly covered the sun.

For the event today, it will begin at about 12:45 p.m. Central.

At the maximum point, at about 2:05 p.m. Central, around 80 to 90 percent of the sun will be covered in our area, and the sky will dim slightly, but won’t go totally dark.

The eclipse will end at about 3:20 p.m. Central, and all will go back to normal.

Here is the status of schools in the area regarding the eclipse:

ANDERSON COUNTY – Elementary and middle schools, except Clinton Middle, will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. The high schools and Clinton Middle School will dismiss at 12:30 p.m.

BLEDSOE COUNTY – Schools will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Each student will be provided with a pair of eclipse viewing glasses, safety information, and a Moon Pie.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY – Schools will dismiss early at 11:15 a.m. Students will receive breakfast, lunch, and eclipse viewing glasses before dismissal.

FENTRESS COUNTY – The school system plans to run on a normal schedule on April 8.

KNOX COUNTY – will dismiss early

LENOIR CITY SCHOOLS – will dismiss at 11 a.m.

LOUDON COUNTY – It will be a half day with buses running at 11 a.m.

MCMINN COUNTY – There will be no school on April 8 as it will be a remote learning day.

MEIGS COUNTY – dismissing at noon.

MORGAN COUNTY – Schools will be implementing a remote learning day on April 8 because of the eclipse.

OAK RIDGE SCHOOLS – will dismiss early

OVERTON COUNTY – School officials say they will have activities related to the solar eclipse in the classrooms and will be open on a regular schedule.

PICKETT COUNTY – The school system plans to run on a normal schedule on April 8.

PUTNAM COUNTY – The school system plans to run on a normal schedule on April 8.

RHEA COUNTY – The school system plans to run on a normal schedule on April 8.

ROANE COUNTY – Schools in Roane County will dismiss between 11:30 and noon on April 8. Students will be provided breakfast, lunch, and eclipse-viewing glasses with safety instructions.

WHITE COUNTY – The school system plans to run on a normal schedule on April 8.