Solar eclipse 2024 in Canada: 'Once in a lifetime' event features stunning photos, disappointment, and a Guinness World Record that topples China

Out in Kingston, Ont., viewers were able to witness the "once in a generation" event, as they experienced a total solar eclipse after initially dealing with some cloudy skies.

However, some viewers across Ontario weren't too pleased with their experience.

Amanda Barlett paid over $100 total in tickets for herself and her two kids, but little was visible standing next to the viewing floor of the CN tower.

“I don’t think it’s any better. We’re probably at the best vantage point just because we’re higher relative to the crowds. There's a lot of buildup for not much view,” she said.

The mother of two and her kids admitted they were disappointed but aren’t sure if they would have gone outside the city if given a re-do.

“It was opening up. I got some good shots, and you could see the shadows changing."

Out at Niagara Falls, entertainers did their best to try to cheer up the crowds, especially as some made the journey bright and early, and travelled vast distances to secure what they thought would be a prime location.

However, their perseverance would pay off, with a sliver of a glimpse of the total solar eclipse coming near the very end.

Out in Kingston, Ont., conditions started to clear up to give viewers a chance to witness the rare celestial event.

Kingston is one of the major Canadian cities that will able to see a total solar eclipse, with totality beginning at 3:22 p.m. EDT.

Across Ontario, many are getting ready to witness the solar eclipse, such as in Kingston. However, on the ground reports show that the cloudy conditions in the sky aren't doing anyone many favours.

In Toronto, where a partial eclipse will be seen, many have flocked to the CN Tower to witness the event.

Toronto Metropolitan University students Teo Mesrkhani and his friend Charlie Zhao have reservations at the CN Tower restaurant. They didn’t move fast enough to get general admission, so they must spend at least $75 each to take in the view. General admission tickets were about half that cost.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so the next time is in 120 years, so this will be our only chance to do it. It made sense to splurge the money,” Mesrkhani said before heading to his table.

In St. Catharines, enthusiasts of all kinds are taking the time to monitor how plants, animals and statues will be affected by the solar eclipse. It's thanks to the use of intelligent telescopes and infrared cameras.

Hundreds of participants are boarding a Hornblower Niagara City Cruises boat, looking to take part in history and break a Guinness World Record.

With the total solar eclipse on the horizon, it's only right that the record that's set to be broken is for the largest gathering of people dressed as the Sun. At least 288 participants are needed to break a record that was set in China in December 2020.

Results are expected to be shared at 10:30 a.m. EDT. Previously, it was reported by a Guinness World Record adjudicator that about 400 people are already registered to board the boat, where they'll receive their costumes.

It was expected that Canada was going to see a tourism boom thanks to the solar eclipse. Manning Aalsma from California is an example of that, after he and his family made their way to Niagara Falls, Ont. to witness the rare celestial event in person.

Seven years ago, Aalsma's dedication took him to Oregon to view the total solar eclipse. He'll now be one of many who are setting up their equipment along Niagara Falls, while hoping for clear skies.

"I think it'll still be pretty marvellous," said Aalsma.

Niagara Falls, Ont., is set to become a place of history on April 8 with a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as the Sun.

An official Guinness World Records adjudicator, Mike Marcotte, has made the trip to Niagara Falls to document the attempt. The previous record of 287 was set in China in December 2020.

About 400 people are already registered to fill the Hornblower Niagara City Cruises boat, Marcotte told Yahoo Canada, where the attempt will take place. Previously, the city's mayor, Jim Diodati, said to The Canadian Press that those who will be on the boat will be provided the costumes.

Many have made the trip to Niagara Falls to take part in the Guinness World Record, but also to simply enjoy the rare celestial event. That includes some who even slept outside to get the best viewing point.

Talk about dedication:

Cloud cover looks like it will impact parts of Canada that are subject to the solar eclipse's path totality. Forecasts are subject to change, which makes it crucial to check local conditions.

Here's the latest info from The Weather Network, as they breakdown where in Canada we could expect "beauty or a bust."

Ontario may fight through clouds

Monday will start with a sprawling low-pressure system over the northern half of the United States. This storm will spill mid- to high-level clouds over southern Ontario during the eclipse.

By mid-afternoon, as we countdown the minutes to the eclipse, the atmosphere will be in the process of clearing across extreme southwestern Ontario. During that time, there are signs that peeks of sun will be emerging in Hamilton and Niagara, even, so here’s hoping for the perfect timing.

Good news: The Port Stanley to Leamington corridor is becoming a higher-confidence sunny zone.

We’ll continue to see clouds from the stateside low streaming into eastern Ontario, with mostly cloudy skies and occasional breaks of sunshine. It’s not an ideal location to take in the eclipse if you’re looking for an unobstructed view of totality, but it’s possible a break could emerge around the big moment.

Quebec and New Brunswick get a front-row seat

Some of the best odds of seeing a crisp eclipse with all the celestial trimmings will fall across eastern Quebec and New Brunswick.

A ridge of high pressure over the region will keep clouds to a minimum and offer mostly sunny skies on the day of the eclipse, keeping that region as our go-to spot anywhere in North America.

Sherbrooke, Saint-Georges, Hartland, and Fredericton look to be in fine shape for Monday.

The province is rewarded with the best viewing in all of Canada. Clear skies and simple sunshine are forecast across the path of totality.

Newfoundland’s odds seem to be improving a bit

Trends in recent computer guidance have shown more favourable odds for good viewing conditions across portions of Newfoundland. A trickier setup is in the cards here as the island falls between a slow-moving low-pressure system to the northeast of the island and a ridge of high pressure to the west.

This slow-moving system could bring thick low-level clouds, onshore winds, and possibly even some precipitation on the afternoon of the eclipse along Newfoundland’s eastern shores, including around Bonavista and St. John’s.

If you’re eager to see this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, consider heading down toward Port aux Basques on the southwest coast or even a last-minute hop across the Gulf to New Brunswick.

Western Canada stands the best chance of seeing the partial eclipse

The low over the northern U.S. will make for poor viewing across a wide swath of northwestern Ontario and southern Manitoba.

Alberta will score the most optimal view of the partial eclipse with nothing but sunshine in your forecast for the event.

Unfortunately, most folks in B.C. will miss out as onshore flow and showers rain on your view of the partial eclipse. You can follow the action on Monday with our livestream across all of The Weather Network’s platforms.