The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is warning drivers to plan ahead for an influx of visitors to the state ahead of an eclipse event over the weekend.
On Saturday, October 14, an annular solar eclipse will occur, causing partial coverage of the sun. The eclipse will begin around 9 a.m. Around 10:30 a.m., there will be about four minutes during which the moon will block 90% of the light from the sun, according to KSL.
Ahead of this event, UDOT is preparing for an influx of 300,000 eclipse watchers in the southern and central parts of the state.
The eclipse watchers are expected to cause traffic delays in the Richfield and Mexican Hat areas.
UDOT is warning drivers to prepare for delays on the following roadways:
*I-15
*I-70
*US-89
*US-191
UDOT is asking eclipse watchers to avoid parking on shoulders of highways and interstates.
Additionally, officials warn that local resources of supplies like food, water, and fuel may be limited before and after the event.