Floridians prepare for August total eclipse

They have studied microclimates, geography, traffic patterns and crowd estimates. Hotels have long been booked. Escape vans are at the ready.

I t ’s not o f t e n t he unive r s e reveals its secrets in such a flamboyant manner, and so-called “shadow chasers” are preparing for the cosmic event of a generation.

A total solar eclipse will spread across the country on Aug. 21, marking a 100-mile wide shadow path from South Carolina to Ore- Check local conditions, see live radar and keep up with reporter Kimberly Miller’s weather updates. The free PBPost Weather app is available on iTunes and at Google Play. Search for Palm Beach Post WeatherPlus.

gon in the first show of totality in the U.S. in 38 years.

While Florida is too far south to experience the full impact of the eclipse, some residents have been scheming for months to line up prime viewing accommodations, and that includes having quick getaway routes in case a cloud strays overhead and clearsky arrangements must be found.

“I’ve spent my whole life looking at the northern sky, and I’ve been hooked on astronomy for a long time, but seeing an eclipse just never worked out,” said Delray Beach resident Rick Kupfer, who will travel 2,000 miles to experience the event. “I understand that once you go through one of these things, you just want to experience it again and again.”

Kupfer and his wife will set up reclining lawn chairs at a rest