The sun is back to normal in Southwestern Pennsylvania, hours after a solar eclipse brought people together to watch the phenomenon.

Thousands watched from behind the safety of eclipse glasses in the Pittsburgh region and Erie, which was in the path of totality. Cheers of excitement filled the air at watch parties around the region when the moon covered the sun.

Erie plunged into darkness as the moment of totality hit.

Clouds cooperated for the most part, allowing for peeks of the sun as it shrunk into a crescent shape behind the moon, and then grew back to its orb shape.

In Pittsburgh’s Mellon Park, a group of Chatham University students were impressed by the spectacle.

“It’s so much cooler than I thought it would be,” said Maya Nichols. “I thought it would be cool, but I never expected it to be like this.”

Nearby, Jackie Wolfe agreed.

“I thought it was absolutely amazing,” she said. “I thought the coolest part was seeing just how dark it kind of got and feeling how cold it got. It was almost eerie.”

But Oakley the dog wasn’t particularly interested.

“We even tried to put some glasses on him, but it didn’t go well,” Tim Wolfe said. “I didn’t see any reaction from him when it was dark.”

Mathew Maskas set up two telescopes in his Lower Burrell backyard. Elsewhere, University of Pittsburgh students Marina Kobozevo, Seth Soderquist and Caitlin Ma used the eclipse as a way to relax before finals next week. They visited Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park.

“We decided to come and watch because we are in a good path to see it,” Soderquist said. “And it’s a fun excuse to hang on the lawn.”

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They and others at watch parties around the Pittsburgh area donned eclipse glasses as a swath of North America was left in darkness. It was a celebratory atmosphere in many places, even outside workplaces — more than 100 gathered outside West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh.

People donned eclipse glasses outside Saint Vincent College in Unity and Penn-Trafford High School and looked skyward. Telescopes were set up in some places. Employees at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg stood in the courtyard and street lights came on as the moon covered the sun.

“Astronomy is very interesting and it’s just one aspect of it that’s watchable, seeable,” said Ron Chunn of Spring Garden, who visited Allegheny Observatory in Pittsburgh with wife Teena Custer.

Larry and Mary Ann Clever of New Kensington watched from the Springdale High School parking lot.

“It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” said Mary Ann Clever of New Kensington who watched the eclipse with her husband Larry. “By the time the next one comes along, I’ll be long gone. It’s worth taking the time to experience it.”

Said Larry: “It’s an opportunity to see something we won’t ever see again.”

In Erie, representatives from NASA spoke to crowds gathered at Perry Square and Gov. Josh Shapiro talked to Pittsburgh astronaut Warren “Woody” Hoburg at a restaurant. Outside the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, eclipse hopefuls constructed viewers out of cardboard and aluminum foil.

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As of noon, the National Weather Service in Moon says Interstate 79 might be the border between a limited or clear view — west of and along the highway will be better.

Lower clouds that could hinder viewing are more likely east of Interstate 79. But overall, the probability in the region is better than previously forecasted because of the possibility of breaks in those clouds, according to the weather service.

The weather caused Christine Spece of Harrison to make a sharp left turn on her trip. She and two friends traveled to Erie, but decided instead to head west to Cleveland.

“The deciding factor for us is it’s supposed to be sunny in Cleveland,” Spece said. “We’re pretty flexible and this is just a day trip. We have two coolers packed, we have our snacks and beverages and we’re ready.”

Staff at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Erie’s bay front said the mood among guests has been upbeat despite the weather.

People have flocked to Erie to experience a total eclipse and watch parties are planned all around Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh region will see the moon cover about 97% of the sun.

School districts have adjusted their plans for the day, some shutting down classes completely, as the eclipse coincides with dismissal times. State parks and campgrounds are booked up, as are hotel rooms in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

TribLive has been providing coverage of the solar eclipse for weeks leading up to today. Catch up with the stories here:

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= PennDOT shares tips for motorists traveling during the eclipse.

= Don’t look directly at the eclipse without eye protection, experts warn.

= Make sure your eye protection is legitimate.

= Pets will likely be unfazed by the eclipse.

= How to photograph the eclipse like a pro.

Written by Renatta Signorini based on reporting from Rich Cholodofsky, Ryan Deto, Joyce Hanz, JoAnne Harrop, Jeff Himler, Julia Maruca, Quincey Reese, Brian Rittmeyer, Kellen Stepler and Patrick Varine.