With just eight days until the total solar eclipse in the DFW area, cities across the Metroplex are making plans in anticipation of big crowds and a big boost in tourism dollars from eclipse tourists.
However, the latest forecast suggests that April 8th may not offer the best conditions to view the once-in-a-lifetime event.
Despite the potentially uncertain outlook, Dallas officials and businesses say they are hopeful for a successful day.
It was another busy afternoon at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas on Sunday.
City tourism officials say downtown has been looking like this for the past few days as excitement over the upcoming solar eclipse reaches a fever pitch.
“Right now, we’re tracking about 35% more business than we would normally do at this time of year,” said Craig Davis, president and CEO of Visit Dallas.
On April 8, Dallas becomes the largest city in the nation to experience a total power outage due to a solar eclipse.
Experts say eclipse tourism could increase business in the city by more than 40 percent during the week.
However, the latest forecast from NBC5 meteorologists predicts that April 8 will be mostly cloudy with a chance of rain.
Dallas tourism leaders told NBC5 they aren’t seeing widespread cancellations of hotel reservations because of the weather forecast.
And because they are already seeing great business impact here, they remained optimistic.
“They say you can’t change the weather, but knowing that the whole sky will be dark during a total solar eclipse, you’ll have the experience of it being daytime here and completely dark,” Davis said, “so people will be able to experience that.”
HG Supply in the Greenville neighborhood of Dallas has been taking reservations for April 8th on its rooftop for several weeks, with at least 250 people expected to experience the appointment-only experience there.
“We have a DJ event and we’ll also have catered food in the evenings, so we have plans,” said Philip Lee, the restaurant’s assistant general manager.
Restaurant employees said they haven’t heard of any cancellations due to the weather and plan to go ahead with plans for the viewing party rain or shine.
“The rooftop is beautiful, and it’ll be completely dark for three or four minutes, so it’ll have some benefit,” Lee said, “but I don’t think it’ll ruin the event.”
NBC 5 weather experts will be tracking eclipse weather all week long to help you enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime event.
