But for one day in August, clouds threatened to muck up the most-anticipated celestial event of the year.
The Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse mesmerized the nation and drew visitors from around the globe as it traversed the width of the U.S. from the northwest to the southeast. It was the first to cross the entire continental United States since 1918.
Nebraska, with its wide-open vistas and great network of roads, held out promise as prime viewing territory. NASA scientists and such luminaries as Bill Nye the Science Guy set their sights on the state for the rare opportunity to see an eclipse.
The only problem? On the big day, clouds — and in some cases, rain — moved into eastern Nebraska. While some people abandoned plans to travel here, an estimated 708,000 made it to Nebraska.
As the eclipse neared, the clouds parted just enough for many viewers to see the moon blot out the sun. In Falls City, totality was reached at 1:04 p.m. Darkness fell, buildings’ automatic lights flipped on and birds took flight from treetop perches. In the western and north-central parts of the state, where skies were clear, the effect of the darkened sun was a 360-degree “sunset” around the horizon.
The eclipse was accompanied by a drop in temperatures. At one western Nebraska monitoring station, the temperature dropped 10 degrees, said Martha Shulski, Nebraska’s state climatologist. In eastern Nebraska, where clouds limited the effect, the drop in temperature wasn’t as significant.
The next total solar eclipse to pass over parts of Nebraska won’t be until May 3, 2106.
The solar eclipse was Nebraska’s top weather story of 2017. What follows are a handful of other major weather stories from the past year.
Sustained warmth
For the third consecutive year and the sixth time since 2005, Nebraska will record one of its 15 warmest years in 132 years of record-keeping.
The sustained warmth has shortened the “winter” season, lessened heating bills and provided extra days of short-sleeve weather for golfing, long walks and bicycling. And while it has lengthened the growing season, the increased warmth also has prolonged allergy season and increased the risk to some crops.
Summertime vegetables — corn, tomatoes, zucchini, green beans — are less productive during periods of heightened overnight temperatures because the heat kills the pollen.
Winterlike temperatures ended early last winter and the cold came late this year in Omaha, another sign of the unusual warmth of 2017. February was Omaha’s fourth-warmest on record.
Utility customers are enjoying lower heating bills in part thanks to earlier warm weather. More efficient furnaces and a drop in natural gas prices are major reasons, too. At the Metropolitan Utilities District, the volume of natural gas being delivered to customers is down about 8.5 percent.
From late summer 2015 through July 2017, Omaha went 24 months in a row with monthly temperatures averaging above normal, said Barbara Mayes, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Valley. August brought an end to that streak, Mayes said, but average monthly temperatures returned to being above normal in September. The recent cold weather isn’t expected to drop December’s average temperature below normal, Mayes said.
Absent snow
Plenty of winter remains, so things could change quickly. But for the calendar year 2017, Omaha has been on pace for its fifth-lowest snow total, Mayes said. The average amount for the calendar year is 26.4 inches. As of midnight Wednesday, Omaha had accumulated 11.4 inches of snow since Jan. 1. The total would have to climb to 12.9 inches for the snow amount to move into sixth place. The lowest amount on record is 8.3 inches, recorded in 1954.
In addition to frustrating sledders and cross-country skiers, a lack of snow isn’t good for the state’s important winter wheat crop. Snow provides an insulating layer to the wheat, which is planted in the fall, germinates and then hibernates for the winter. Absent that snow, the crop is more vulnerable to a killing freeze.
Lake McConaughy wildfire
Warm and dry conditions sparked a wildfire on the north shore of Lake McConaughy on March 18. Fire crews worked through the night to control the fire, but it broke through their lines the next day. As morning dawned March 19, conditions proved ideal for rapidly spreading fire: Temperatures reached into the 90s and winds gusted in excess of 45 mph.
While the number of acres damaged wasn’t high — about 500 — the location of the fire was what was so destructive. In all, eight homes, one outbuilding and eight garages were damaged or destroyed.
A few tornadoes
This year generally was a quiet one for tornadoes. Still, this is Nebraska, so tornadoes showed up.
On June 16, a strong storm swept through the Omaha metro area, dropping two tornadoes in the Bellevue area. The twisters tore off roofs, punched holes in homes, downed hundreds of power poles and ripped down several miles of utility lines. The storm also damaged two schools — one in Bellevue and one in Papillion — and caused significant damage to homes and facilities at Offutt Air Force Base.
At the peak of the outages, about 76,000 customers were without power, a count that ranks as the fourth-biggest outage in at least four decades, according to the Omaha Public Power District.
On Aug. 19, thunderstorms in north-central Nebraska spawned at least four tornadoes, according to the weather service office in North Platte. The strongest tornado was rated EF-2 with estimated peak winds of 120 mph. A couple of residences were damaged.
Official statewide tornado numbers aren’t yet available, but figures from the Hastings office of the weather service provide an indication of the relative quiet. Shawn Rossi, a meteorologist there, said the Hastings office issued only four tornado warnings this year, compared with about 30 in a normal year.
“I don’t think there’s too many people complaining that we had a slow severe weather season,” he said.
Big, bad hail
Late on a Thursday night in June, a major hailstorm dropped stones as big as tennis balls on parts of Omaha. Most heavily affected were the Benson and midtown areas. By the next morning, insurance companies began receiving hundreds of calls about damaged cars and roofs. At least 100 vehicles weren’t drivable, according to one insurance company. It’s estimated that the city sustained more than $80 million in damage to homes, businesses and vehicles.
Rick Gobble, who lives in the Country Club area, described the hailstorm as “raining billiard balls.”
Ice storm
South-central Nebraska saw its worst ice storm in 10 years from Jan. 15 to 16, Rossi said. Between a tenth and a half inch of ice coated surfaces across the region. The ice prompted schools, businesses and the Grand Island and Kearney airports to close. Roads and parking lots were turned into skating rinks, and ice that fell from the KSNB television tower north of Hastings broke a windshield in the parking lot. Among the crashes was a fiery collision between two semitrailers on Interstate 80.
Damaging flash flooding
Intense thunderstorms in mid-August led to record-breaking rainfall and damaging flooding in portions of north-central and central Nebraska. Some of the storms also generated 80 mph winds and hail the size of baseballs.
Northern Custer County received more than 10 inches of rain over three consecutive nights. Several roads and highways were blocked by flooding, and some were washed out. Twelve flash-flood warnings were issued during those three nights, twice the total for all of 2016.
October winds put dent in corn harvest
For the most part, farmers had a good year in terms of yield in Nebraska, but the corn crop in central Nebraska took a significant hit from strong October wind storms, according to Shulski and Steve Nelson, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau.
The winds knocked the ears of corn off the stalks and to the ground, and those ears couldn’t be harvested. Some farmers estimated that they lost 25 percent of their yield. Farmers already were struggling due to the low prices they expected to get for their harvest.
Laura Canas sits near Chimney Rock during the total solar eclipse at on Monday, August 21, 2017.
Gary Reed (foreground), from Elmwood, Nebraska, watches the solar eclipse from the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jim Cooper, from Eagle, Nebraska, watches the solar eclipse from the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Lowell Ferris of Madison, Wisconsin, views the 2017 solar eclipse at Carhenge on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Alliance, Nebraska. MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bruce Cardwell, center, of Omaha, Nebraska, waits for the eclipse to reappear as clouds roll trhough Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Tony Kreinbrink of Kentucky looks at the sun through his telescope, which was equipped with a full aperture solar filter, at Homestead National Monument on Monday morning.
Patty Foss, who travelled 450 miles from Little Falls, Minnesota, rests on the lawn of the Richardson County Courthouse as she waits for the total solar eclipse in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Kelsey Underwood, from Indianapolis, Indiana, takes a peek at the sun as it breaks briefly through the clouds. People waited for the solar eclipse at the football field in Humboldt, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jeff and Shirley Miller of Hastings, Iowa, sit on a bench at Stanton Lake Park in Falls City, Nebraska, Monday morning. The Millers drove to Falls City Monday morning to watch the total solar eclipse.
Dave Knisely, left, of Beatrice and Dave Hamilton of Lincoln, both of the Prairie Astronomy Club, set up their equipment for the solar eclipse on Monday morning at Homestead National Monument in Beatrice.
Cassie Cooper, 9, watches the solar eclipse from the back of a truck at the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Visitors watch a presentation at Homestead National Monument on Sunday. Bill Nye and scientists from NASA will be on hand for today’s eclipse. Beatrice “is one of the big eclipse parties,” said Jeff Olson of the National Park Service.
Bill Nye and astrophysicist Amy Mainzer take to this stage at Homestead National Monument of America on Monday to speak and lead the crowd in putting on and taking off eclipse glasses.
The Cooper family, from Eagle, Nebraska, watches the solar eclipse from the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Cooper family, from Eagle, Nebraska, watches the solar eclipse from the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton University student Abby Robinson wears her solar glasses while sitting with friends at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to view the eclipse. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Eric Wright of Dallas, left, makes coffee as his wife, Denise, styles the hair of their daughter, Chloe, 10, in their campsite as son Travis, 12, continues to sleep in their tent at Stanton Lake Park in Falls City, Nebraska, on Monday morning.
People gather to view the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Dave Mikolajczyk (CQ), left, and Ed Mikolajczyk, right, set up their telescope as people gather to view the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
David Saxby, from Omaha, and others starts a yoga class on the football field. Lotus House of Yoga organized the trip. People waited for the solar eclipse at the football field in Humboldt, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Bertelsen family, who drove down from Gretna, watch the solar eclipse from the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. From right are Doug Bertelsen, Cindy Bertelsen, Lauren Bertelsen, 15, and Brandon Bertelsen. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Brandon Lundborg, puts sunscreen on Nora, 2, before the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. Lundborg is a family friend and they are from Denver, Colorado. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Dave Lewis holds a towel over Matt Neilssen to block out the sun as he works on his laptop connected to his telescope rig before the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. They are from the Quad Cities area. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Steve Wharton from Boulder, Colorado surveys the landscape before the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Tyler Manahan, 15, above and Jaret Carter, 4, below, of Holdrege view the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bill Nye The Science guy showed up at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to attend the eclipse events. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Dave Mikolajczyk (CQ), left, and Ed Mikolajczyk, right, set up their telescope as people gather to view the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jake Mitchell of Mounds View, MN, left, takes a snooze in the car on Monday, August 21, 2017 at a rest stop in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Donna Kemper, from New Haven, Connecticut, performs "salutations to the sun," hoping that the clouds break up for the eclipse. People waited for the solar eclipse at the football field in Humboldt, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Pete Duryea, from Omaha (in yellow), and Kelsey Underwood, from Indianapolis (in white), start a yoga class at the football field. People waited for the solar eclipse at the football field in Humboldt, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Maddie Balus, 12, uses sidewalk chalk to decorate her driveway with text that reads "The Great American Solar Eclipse" during the solar eclipse in west Omaha, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
David Kulhanek of Thornton, Colorado, right, and his son, Nathan, wanted their picture taken at Carhenge in front of the Gremlin car in the background on the day before the total solar eclipse.
A sign on the back window of a Toyota Sequoia from Colorado parked in Alliance, Nebraska, makes no secret of its unstoppable mission: A trans-Nebraska expedition in search of the total solar eclipse. Its passengers were refueling at the Dairy Queen.
Kelly Wilkinson, left, and Laura Canas get ready for the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. Wilkinson came from Washington DC, Canas traveled from from Bogota, Columbia CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
John Flyte, a fifth-grade teacher from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, uses binoculars to focus an image of the sun on a piece of cardboard near Carhenge on Saturday. Flyte has been waiting years to experience a total solar eclipse.
People watch as a balloon is launched as people gather to view the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Paul Swokowski of Milwaukee sets up a tent in a field near Carhenge on Saturday near Alliance, Nebraska, ahead of Monday's solar eclipse, which is expected to draw as many as 500,000 people to the state.
Paul Swokowski, left, and Chris Riemer of Milwaukee set up a tent in a field near Carhenge on Saturday near Alliance, Nebraska. Kevin Howard, director of the Alliance Visitors Bureau, said he expects 20,000 to 25,000 visitors to come to Alliance for the eclipse.
Joe Canfield of Austin, Texas, sets up his tent at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Alliance, Nebraska, on Saturday. Canfield is among thousands expected to come to Alliance for the solar eclipse.
Lines of campers dot Lake McConaughy beaches Friday, ahead of the total solar eclipse. Many of the campers, like those throughout the summer season, have Colorado license plates.
Crew and cast members of "In the Moon's Shadow" hike in a gorge south of Scotts Bluff National Monument while scouting locations Saturday for scenes in the film, which will include footage of Monday's solar eclipse.
Kelly Wilkinson from Washington DC puts a solar filter on his camera just before the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Pam Warrick of Omaha is illuminated by her phone as the sun becomes totally eclipsed in Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bob and Diane Doering of Omaha watch as the clouds part and the solar eclipse becomes visible in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
People watch as the eclipse reaches totality on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The solar eclipse reaches totality on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
People watch as the eclipse reaches totality on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Valerie Alder, from left Jarom, 5, Cole, 8, Valerie, Elijah, 10, Katie, 12, and Cailin, 12 get ready for a family photo from Valerie's husband, David Alder (not pictured) during the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. They drove in from Denver and their parents let them skip school for this. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Paige Holder, 6, of Omaha uses a paper plate fitted with eclipse glasses for extra protection from the sun in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Duane Cloud and Cathy Carlson of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., hold hands while waiting for the solar eclipse in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Abigail Harris, 10, of Omaha looks up as the solar eclipse begins in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Sarah Fischer of Topeka, Kansas, waits for the eclipse from under an umbrella in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Karen Pufahl of Stanton, Neb. watches first contact of the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Linda Woodland of Sterling, Massachusetts, views the eclipse with her son Diego at Carhenge on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Alliance, Nebraska. MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Sami Prorok, 8, left, Taigent Prorok, 6, and Sarah Prorok, of Humphrey, Neb. view the eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Campers waiting for the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site photographed on Monday, August 21, 2017. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Heidi Moser and Greg Peitz of Omaha take a selfie with their eclipse glasses in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Tom Ives, left, and Chris Holmes of Clarinda, Iowa, watch the solar eclipse in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Carmen Bigge, left, and Curt Bigge, right, of Stockton Kansas view the solar eclipse through welding masks on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Larry Roberts of Aurora, Neb. views the eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
People watch the sun come out of totality during the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Crowds standing in the sculpture park outside the First National Bank Tower take in the eclipse at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
The crowd outside the First National Bank Tower takes in the eclipse at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Crowds outside the First National Bank Tower take in the eclipse at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Crowd in the drive of the Double Tree by Hilton Downtown as crowds take in the eclipse at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
A view of the First National Bank Tower with geese from Kent Ullberg's Spirit of Nebraska's Wilderness sculpture 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha as the sun is eclipsed on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Elly Hellwege, 3, of Lincoln, Nebraska, falls asleep after watching the eclipse at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Traffic backs up on Interstate 80 as it heads north to Omaha near mile marker 421 near Ashland on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska to view the eclipse. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Berry family of Austin, Texas watch the eclipse at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska. From left: Sam, 7, Will, 15, Carson, 13, dad Curt, Brenna, 11, and mom Jennifer. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Joel Penhallegon of Lincoln, Nebraska, covers his eyes with protective glasses while watching the eclipse at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Verna Tiegs, left, and her daughter, Jill Tiegs, both of Santa Barbara, California, cheer during the totality phase of the eclipse at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska. Jill said of the event, "I love it. It was a once in a lifetime experience." RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jill Tiegs, left, of Santa Barbara, California, cheers and Bruce Cardwell, right, of Omaha gazes as they watch the solar eclipse enter totality at Homestead National Monument on Aug. 21 in Beatrice, Nebraska.
Photos: Two years ago, a total solar eclipse crawled across Nebraska
A total solar eclipse cut a path across Nebraska on Aug. 21, 2017.
Laura Canas sits near Chimney Rock during the total solar eclipse at on Monday, August 21, 2017.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Gary Reed (foreground), from Elmwood, Nebraska, watches the solar eclipse from the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jim Cooper, from Eagle, Nebraska, watches the solar eclipse from the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Lowell Ferris of Madison, Wisconsin, views the 2017 solar eclipse at Carhenge on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Alliance, Nebraska. MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bruce Cardwell, center, of Omaha, Nebraska, waits for the eclipse to reappear as clouds roll trhough Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Tony Kreinbrink of Kentucky looks at the sun through his telescope, which was equipped with a full aperture solar filter, at Homestead National Monument on Monday morning.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Patty Foss, who travelled 450 miles from Little Falls, Minnesota, rests on the lawn of the Richardson County Courthouse as she waits for the total solar eclipse in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERAL
Alan Pletcher of Claremore, Oklahoma, breaks down his tent at Stanton Lake Park in Falls City, Nebraska, on Monday morning.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Kelsey Underwood, from Indianapolis, Indiana, takes a peek at the sun as it breaks briefly through the clouds. People waited for the solar eclipse at the football field in Humboldt, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jeff and Shirley Miller of Hastings, Iowa, sit on a bench at Stanton Lake Park in Falls City, Nebraska, Monday morning. The Millers drove to Falls City Monday morning to watch the total solar eclipse.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Eclipse fans arrive on buses Monday morning to the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Dave Knisely, left, of Beatrice and Dave Hamilton of Lincoln, both of the Prairie Astronomy Club, set up their equipment for the solar eclipse on Monday morning at Homestead National Monument in Beatrice.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Cassie Cooper, 9, watches the solar eclipse from the back of a truck at the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Visitors watch a presentation at Homestead National Monument on Sunday. Bill Nye and scientists from NASA will be on hand for today’s eclipse. Beatrice “is one of the big eclipse parties,” said Jeff Olson of the National Park Service.
HAILEY KONNATH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bill Nye and astrophysicist Amy Mainzer take to this stage at Homestead National Monument of America on Monday to speak and lead the crowd in putting on and taking off eclipse glasses.
HAILEY KONNATH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Chairs and a tent await eclipse crowds at Homestead National Monument of America on Sunday afternoon.
HAILEY KONNATH/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Cooper family, from Eagle, Nebraska, watches the solar eclipse from the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Cooper family, from Eagle, Nebraska, watches the solar eclipse from the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton University student Abby Robinson wears her solar glasses while sitting with friends at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to view the eclipse. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
People gather at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to view the eclipse. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Eric Wright of Dallas, left, makes coffee as his wife, Denise, styles the hair of their daughter, Chloe, 10, in their campsite as son Travis, 12, continues to sleep in their tent at Stanton Lake Park in Falls City, Nebraska, on Monday morning.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Rachel Witt, owner of Sportin' Falls City, prints eclipse shirts as customers wait in downtown Falls City, Neb., on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
People gather to view the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Dave Mikolajczyk (CQ), left, and Ed Mikolajczyk, right, set up their telescope as people gather to view the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Eclipse T-shirts for sale from the Chamber of Commerce in downtown Falls City, Nebraska, on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
David Saxby, from Omaha, and others starts a yoga class on the football field. Lotus House of Yoga organized the trip. People waited for the solar eclipse at the football field in Humboldt, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Bertelsen family, who drove down from Gretna, watch the solar eclipse from the Bohemian Cemetery east of Table Rock, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. From right are Doug Bertelsen, Cindy Bertelsen, Lauren Bertelsen, 15, and Brandon Bertelsen. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Brandon Lundborg, puts sunscreen on Nora, 2, before the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. Lundborg is a family friend and they are from Denver, Colorado. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Dave Lewis holds a towel over Matt Neilssen to block out the sun as he works on his laptop connected to his telescope rig before the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. They are from the Quad Cities area. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Steve Wharton from Boulder, Colorado surveys the landscape before the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Tyler Manahan, 15, above and Jaret Carter, 4, below, of Holdrege view the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bill Nye The Science guy showed up at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to attend the eclipse events. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Dave Mikolajczyk (CQ), left, and Ed Mikolajczyk, right, set up their telescope as people gather to view the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jake Mitchell of Mounds View, MN, left, takes a snooze in the car on Monday, August 21, 2017 at a rest stop in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Donna Kemper, from New Haven, Connecticut, performs "salutations to the sun," hoping that the clouds break up for the eclipse. People waited for the solar eclipse at the football field in Humboldt, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Pete Duryea, from Omaha (in yellow), and Kelsey Underwood, from Indianapolis (in white), start a yoga class at the football field. People waited for the solar eclipse at the football field in Humboldt, Nebraska, on August 21, 2017. MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Maddie Balus, 12, uses sidewalk chalk to decorate her driveway with text that reads "The Great American Solar Eclipse" during the solar eclipse in west Omaha, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERAL
David Kulhanek of Thornton, Colorado, right, and his son, Nathan, wanted their picture taken at Carhenge in front of the Gremlin car in the background on the day before the total solar eclipse.
DAVID HENDEE/THE WORLD-HERALD
Kylee Dredla screen-prints customized eclipse T-shirts for two Canadian customers Sunday afternoon. She manages Absolute Graphic & Design in Alliance.
DAVID HENDEE/THE WORLD-HERALD
A flower and gift shop in Alliance hangs onto social media buzz that two Hollywood actors were in town for the total solar eclipse.
DAVID HENDEE/THE WORLD-HERALD
From left, Ruba Nasrallah, Kyu Kahn and Melinda Fisher, all of Denver, camp out near Carhenge on Saturday in Alliance.
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Mike Lucibella of Denver makes dinner at his campsite near Carhenge on Saturday near Alliance, ahead of Monday's solar eclipse.
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Campers set up near Carhenge on Saturday in anticipation of the the solar eclipse.
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
A sign on the back window of a Toyota Sequoia from Colorado parked in Alliance, Nebraska, makes no secret of its unstoppable mission: A trans-Nebraska expedition in search of the total solar eclipse. Its passengers were refueling at the Dairy Queen.
DAVID HENDEE/THE WORLD-HERALD
A field near Carhenge has been converted into a parking lot by owner Shane Dye. He estimated that his two fields could hold 10,000 cars.
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Kelly Wilkinson, left, and Laura Canas get ready for the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. Wilkinson came from Washington DC, Canas traveled from from Bogota, Columbia CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Shane Dye and his family converted this field near Alliance into a parking lot for people coming to the area to see the solar eclipse on Monday.
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
John Flyte, a fifth-grade teacher from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, uses binoculars to focus an image of the sun on a piece of cardboard near Carhenge on Saturday. Flyte has been waiting years to experience a total solar eclipse.
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
People watch as a balloon is launched as people gather to view the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jake Perkins of Alliance, Nebraska, grills corn on the cob at Carhenge on Saturday. Perkins plans on selling the corn to eclipse visitors.
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Paul Swokowski of Milwaukee sets up a tent in a field near Carhenge on Saturday near Alliance, Nebraska, ahead of Monday's solar eclipse, which is expected to draw as many as 500,000 people to the state.
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Paul Swokowski, left, and Chris Riemer of Milwaukee set up a tent in a field near Carhenge on Saturday near Alliance, Nebraska. Kevin Howard, director of the Alliance Visitors Bureau, said he expects 20,000 to 25,000 visitors to come to Alliance for the eclipse.
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Joe Canfield of Austin, Texas, sets up his tent at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Alliance, Nebraska, on Saturday. Canfield is among thousands expected to come to Alliance for the solar eclipse.
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Everett Heringer, a dentist from Bismarck, North Dakota, photographs the sun's path near Carhenge on Saturday near Alliance, Nebraska.
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Lines of campers dot Lake McConaughy beaches Friday, ahead of the total solar eclipse. Many of the campers, like those throughout the summer season, have Colorado license plates.
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Crew and cast members of "In the Moon's Shadow" hike in a gorge south of Scotts Bluff National Monument while scouting locations Saturday for scenes in the film, which will include footage of Monday's solar eclipse.
STEVE FREDERICK/WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Kelly Wilkinson from Washington DC puts a solar filter on his camera just before the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Pam Warrick of Omaha is illuminated by her phone as the sun becomes totally eclipsed in Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
REBECCA S. GRATZ
Bob and Diane Doering of Omaha watch as the clouds part and the solar eclipse becomes visible in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
REBECCA S. GRATZ
Workers watch the solar eclipse from the Union Pacific building Monday August 21, 2017 in Omaha, Neb. Jeff Bundy/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jeff Bundy
Individuals watch the solar eclipse in downtown Monday August 21, 2017 in Omaha, Neb.
Z LONG, THE WORLD-HERALD
Individuals watch the solar eclipse from rooftops in downtown on Monday in Omaha.
Z LONG, THE WORLD-HERALD
People watch as the eclipse reaches totality on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The solar eclipse reaches totality on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
People watch as the eclipse reaches totality on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Valerie Alder, from left Jarom, 5, Cole, 8, Valerie, Elijah, 10, Katie, 12, and Cailin, 12 get ready for a family photo from Valerie's husband, David Alder (not pictured) during the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. They drove in from Denver and their parents let them skip school for this. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Paige Holder, 6, of Omaha uses a paper plate fitted with eclipse glasses for extra protection from the sun in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
REBECCA S. GRATZ
Duane Cloud and Cathy Carlson of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., hold hands while waiting for the solar eclipse in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
REBECCA S. GRATZ
Abigail Harris, 10, of Omaha looks up as the solar eclipse begins in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
REBECCA S. GRATZ
Sarah Fischer of Topeka, Kansas, waits for the eclipse from under an umbrella in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
REBECCA S. GRATZ
Karen Pufahl of Stanton, Neb. watches first contact of the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Linda Woodland of Sterling, Massachusetts, views the eclipse with her son Diego at Carhenge on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Alliance, Nebraska. MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Sami Prorok, 8, left, Taigent Prorok, 6, and Sarah Prorok, of Humphrey, Neb. view the eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Campers waiting for the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site photographed on Monday, August 21, 2017. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Heidi Moser and Greg Peitz of Omaha take a selfie with their eclipse glasses in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
REBECCA S. GRATZ
Tom Ives, left, and Chris Holmes of Clarinda, Iowa, watch the solar eclipse in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
REBECCA S. GRATZ
People watch the total solar eclipse in downtown Falls City, Neb., Monday, August 21, 2017. REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
REBECCA S. GRATZ
Carmen Bigge, left, and Curt Bigge, right, of Stockton Kansas view the solar eclipse through welding masks on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Larry Roberts of Aurora, Neb. views the eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island will see 2:34 minute of totality. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Sarah Abington of Omaha takes advantage of a break in the clouds at Homestead National Monument on Aug. 21 to view the eclipse.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
People watch the sun come out of totality during the total solar eclipse at Chimney Rock National Historic Site on Monday, August 21, 2017. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The eclipse as seen from at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Crowds standing in the sculpture park outside the First National Bank Tower take in the eclipse at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
The crowd outside the First National Bank Tower takes in the eclipse at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Crowds outside the First National Bank Tower take in the eclipse at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Crowd in the drive of the Double Tree by Hilton Downtown as crowds take in the eclipse at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
A view of the First National Bank Tower with geese from Kent Ullberg's Spirit of Nebraska's Wilderness sculpture 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha as the sun is eclipsed on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bob Mullin of Omaha takes in the eclipse at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bob Mullin of Omaha watches the eclipse at 16th and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Monday, August 21, 2017. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
A couple display their souvenir from the day. People waited for the solar eclipse at the football field in Humboldt, Nebraska, on Aug. 21, 2017.
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Elly Hellwege, 3, of Lincoln, Nebraska, falls asleep after watching the eclipse at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Traffic backs up on Interstate 80 as it heads north to Omaha near mile marker 421 near Ashland on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska to view the eclipse. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Berry family of Austin, Texas watch the eclipse at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska. From left: Sam, 7, Will, 15, Carson, 13, dad Curt, Brenna, 11, and mom Jennifer. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
People watch the eclipse at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Joel Penhallegon of Lincoln, Nebraska, covers his eyes with protective glasses while watching the eclipse at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska. RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Verna Tiegs, left, and her daughter, Jill Tiegs, both of Santa Barbara, California, cheer during the totality phase of the eclipse at Homestead National Monument on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Beatrice, Nebraska. Jill said of the event, "I love it. It was a once in a lifetime experience." RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Rain clouds pass over Homestead National Monument on Aug. 21 in Beatrice, Nebraska, as people gather to view the eclipse.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jill Tiegs, left, of Santa Barbara, California, cheers and Bruce Cardwell, right, of Omaha gazes as they watch the solar eclipse enter totality at Homestead National Monument on Aug. 21 in Beatrice, Nebraska.
Sunday, with a high of minus 1, was the coldest day Omaha has seen in 20 years, according to the National Weather Service, and the nighttime l…
Gary Reed, foreground, of Elmwood, Nebraska, watches the eclipse from the Bohemian Cemetery near Table Rock. The clouds parted just enough for people to see the eclipse.
This year will be one of the state’s 15 warmest years in 132 years of record-keeping. Beaty siblings Claire, 7, Lucas, 4, and Lauren, 9, of Elkhorn rested in the shade with Hawaiian ice on a July day when the heat index reached 105.