The second full moon of the year – fittingly called the snow moon – will reach its peak Wednesday. It’s the third and final full moon of meteorological winter, which runs from December to February.
Peak illumination occurs in the morning East Coast time, though views of the snow moon may be blocked by ongoing snowstorms in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Clouds will also be plentiful across much of the Lower 48 amid an active stretch for storms.
Before its peak, the snow moon will appear nearly full Monday and Tuesday as well as through Thursday and Friday. There are also several other celestial sights to look out for.
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When to look up
The snow moon will reach peak illumination Wednesday morning at 8:53 a.m. Eastern time, according to earthsky.org.
On the East Coast, the moon will set before officially reaching its fullest point on Wednesday morning, while people on the West Coast can view it low on the horizon in the west-northwest if up early. If clouds obscure the view, any difference will be imperceptible to the naked eye from Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening.
Given extensive storminess across the United States this week, views of the moon may be mainly relegated to glimpses across the eastern half of the country while it’s at peak illumination. The best odds of sustained clear skies are over the Pacific Northwest and parts of the South like Texas and Florida.
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Why the name?
Full moons have many names, which are typically linked to outdoor activities of natives and farmers during the time of year they occur. The final full moon of meteorological winter goes by a particularly apt moniker.
“February’s typically cold, snowy weather in North America earned its full moon the name snow moon,” according to the Royal Museums Greenwich. “Storm moon and hunger moon are other common names.”
Indeed, February is the snowiest month of the year for much of the northern hemisphere as winter’s chill holds tough and the earliest signs of springtime moisture feed into it.
Coming every 29.5 days, 2025 will have one full moon each month. Supermoons, or when the moon as it its closest and brightest, are slated for October through December. Following the snow moon, the next full moon is the worm moon on March 14.
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What else is in the sky this week?
Other than the full moon, several additional phenomena are worth checking out this week while taking a look skyward. Although clouds and the bright full moon can impact viewing negatively, cold winter air is often relatively pollutant free, which may be beneficial for skywatching.
During the evening Tuesday and Wednesday, the moon will pass near Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. Regulus is at the end of a sickle, which appears like a backward question mark.
On Valentine’s Day, Venus – named for the Roman goddess of love – will be at its brightest for the year. Look for it in the direction of sunset during the evening when it will be hard to miss.
Additionally, solar winds from recent storms on the sun are buffeting Earth to start the week, which may enhance aurora borealis activity, especially at high latitudes through midweek.