New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and other state officials held a press conference on Friday morning to discuss the state's solar eclipse plans.
"It's a very big day throughout the country, but especially here in New Hampshire," the governor said.
The northern third of the state will be in the path of the total solar eclipse on Monday, and officials believe thousands of tourists will visit the state.
Travel and tourism officials joined Sununu at Friday's event, along with the director of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.
They all urged visitors to be patient, to expect traffic delays and to arrive early and stay late.
"For those traveling, pack patience," Sununu said. "Everyone please be patient. There will be a lot of traffic, and potentially a bigger traffic jam coming back south. Imagine it's like leaving a Patriots game or something. Everyone's going to be leaving the North County all at once."
Over 100,000 New Hampshire customers were still without power on Friday due to this week's nor'easter, but Sununu said he expects full restoration in the next 24 to 36 hours.
He said the weather on Monday is expected to be beautiful, and at least 10,000 visitors are expected, and potentially far more.
"I anticipate New Hampshire will be one of the top destinations for the entire New England region," Sununu said.
He also warned visitors to avoid the mountains and hiking trails, because they are in poor condition at this time of year.
Tim Stevens, the business administrator for the town of Colebrook, which is in the path of totality, said stores are stocking up, parking areas have been designated and portable toilets and trash receptacles added ahead of Monday's big event.
"If you own an electric vehicle, my advice is don't bring it," he said. "We have one charging station in Colebrook."
Maine and Vermont are also in the path of totality, and the governors of both states held similar press conferences earlier in the week. Sununu was originally scheduled to speak Thursday but delayed his press conference due to this week's nor'easter.
Monday's total solar eclipse — an event that will see the moon block the surface of the sun from Earth's view for a few minutes — will cross North America, beginning on Mexico's western coast, continuing through the United States and finishing in Newfoundland, Canada.
Only 13 U.S. states are in the path of totality. People outside of the path of totality will be able to witness a partial eclipse.
