Solar eclipse 2024: Clearest view will be in New England as storm clouds roll over Texas and tourists who traveled thousands of miles to catch a glimpse in Dallas race to other states

Tourists who traveled thousands of miles to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse in Dallas - what was meant to offer the best view - are racing elsewhere as storm clouds gather over the Lone Star state. 

Although Texas has one of the best geographical positions to view the once-in-a-lifetime celestial event, clouds started to roll in around 9 am local time as severe storms are expected Monday night. 

The National Weather Service in Forth Worth explained the morning cloud cover would start to break up around noon, allowing many to enjoy the spectacle in the sky.

In updated advice at 11am, the Weather Service declared New England as the new best viewing spot. 

People assemble to view a total solar eclipse in Eagle Pass, Texas - The Lone Star State was originally thought to have the best views of the spectacle 

Clouds started to roll in around 9 am local time as severe storms are expected Monday night in Texas

Crowds gather on the observation deck of Edge at Hudson Yards in New York City

In updated advice at 11am, the Weather Service declared New England as the new best viewing spot

 'The best viewing conditions are likely north of I-20,' the organization tweeted. 

'It might look BAD around 9-11 am this morning, BUT we are expecting some low clouds to scatter before eclipse time. High level clouds should remain thin in many spots.'

Monday's forecast has left those in the path of totality-- where the moon will completely block out the sun causing a temporary darkness-- holding their breath, as thousands of tourists, and their money, have flocked to the state for the event. 

The Lone Star State will be the first state to see the celestial event around 1:27 PM ET, then Oklahoma is next at around 1:45pm CT, followed by Arkansas at 1:51pm ET and Missouri about five minutes after.

Illinois is next in line along the path of totality, with Carbondale experiencing the solar eclipse at around 1:59pm CT and Paducah, Kentucky about one minute later.

And Evansville, Indiana at 2:02CT and then Ohio is expected to witness it at around 3:13pm ET.

State officials have estimated that up to 556,000 people will be visiting the Buckeye state.

Erie, Pennsylvania is next, with the solar eclipse set for 3:16pm ET, followed by Buffalo, New York at around 3:18pm ET.

The path will continue up north, reaching Burlington, Vermont at 3:26pm ET, Lancaster, New Hampshire at 3:27pm ET and Caribou, Maine at 3:32pm ET.

The yellow lines represent the path where people will be able to view the solar eclipse on April 8, while the green line shows the locations directly under the path of totality-- or places that might experience darkness

Some cities and towns, like Austin and Killeen, were expecting to see their populations double for the eclipse, prompting Travis and several other counties to declare states of emergencies. 

Some tourists who traveled to Texas to experience the darkness first-hand are now leaving the state in order to get a better view. 

Jontue Austin and his family drove 14 hours from Minnesota to Dallas, but after seeing the weather, they decided to jump ship. 

They spent Sunday in North Texas, but decided to drive to Little Rock, Arkansas Monday morning.

'We didn't come all this way to be disappointed,' Jontue Austin told DailyMail.com Monday as he and his wife Phala were checking their weather apps Monday morning.

'We're going to Little Rock after looking at the weather. That's the closest that we can get to where it's still sunny.' 

In the Lone Star State, the eclipse will be visible from around 1 pm to 2 pm, according to NASA. During that time, some areas directly in the path of totality will be in darkness

People gather and wait to observe a total solar eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico

Ironically, they choose the Lone Star State as their viewing area because of the weather.

'When we saw the path of totality, we thought Texas would be the least likely to be rained out. We also thought about going to New England, but it just didn't work on the calendar with travel dates, so we decided to go to Texas,' the dad of three girls explained.

The Austins had been on the fence about changing their travel plans for about a week, as they were keeping an eye on the forecast. 

'We had already booked the hotel (in Dallas) so we already on the hook at that point,' he stated, adding that they met a French couple at their hotel who was also nervously hoping the clouds wouldn't ruin their trip.

'At least we can drive somewhere. The French couple flew across continents to be let down.' 

Not wanting to dampened the experience for their 16, 14, 11 girls, the Austins were halfway to Texas' neighboring state by mid-morning.

'In all my years here, I've never experinced a total eclipse, and I'll be in my 60 by then. If not, now when. Also, this eclipse has the longest totality, over four minutes,  so that's kind of special in in of itself for the kids,' he said.

And it seems other travelers made the same decision as the Austin. 

Texas towns, like Fredericksburg, that were expecting hordes of crowds never got them. 

'I think some of it is the weather, the cloudiness expectations and the rain expectations. They’re moving to other states,” Shana Menzies who operates a food truck told local station KXAN. 

Jontue Austin and his family drove 14 hours from Minnesota to Dallas, but after seeing the weather, they decided to jump ship

The Austins are headed to Little Rock, Arkansas Monday morning in hopes of finding a better view of the eclipse 

The picturesque town, located in Texas wine country, barely got any more visitors than it would on a regular weekend, other locals confirmed. 

Bill Nye the Science Guy was slated to host a viewing party in Fredericksburg along with the The Planetary Society. 

'They told us it was going to go from 10,000 population to 110,000 population,' Jean Bentley from Salt Lake City, Utah told the outlet. 

But the numbers never materialized. 

'Today's the day! While we hope the weather allows full visibility, the complete phase of the eclipse will begin in Dallas at 12:23 p.m. with totality beginning at 1:40 p.m,' tweeted Dallas' airport.  

The Texas Total Eclipse Festival in Burnet canceled its celebration plans for Monday due to the severe weather forecast. 

At least 30,000 people descended on the small town for the festival, reported KXAN.

'We regret to inform you of the severe weather forecast, including risks of high winds, tornadic activity, large hail, and thunderstorms for later today, including during the eclipse, Tuesday, and Wednesday,' the organization said on Facebook.

'Your safety is our top priority. With the support and coordination of Burnet County officials, local safety agencies, and The National Weather Service, we’ve agreed to end the festival today in a calm orderly manner.'