The November Full Beaver Moon peaks at 8:19 A.M. EST on Nov. 5 and will be the closest full moon since 2019, making it appear larger and brighter. It’s the second of three consecutive supermoons, with the best viewing around dusk on Nov. 4–6 (weather permitting). Regional forecasts favor Tuesday–Wednesday for much of the country, while the Pacific Northwest may be clouded out. If you miss it, the next notable full moon is the Cold Moon on Dec. 4.
November’s Full Beaver Moon: See This Year’s Biggest Supermoon — Best Times & Weather
The November Full Beaver Moon peaks at 8:19 A.M. EST on Nov. 5 and will be the closest full moon since 2019, making it appear larger and brighter. It’s the second of three consecutive supermoons, with the best viewing around dusk on Nov. 4–6 (weather permitting). Regional forecasts favor Tuesday–Wednesday for much of the country, while the Pacific Northwest may be clouded out. If you miss it, the next notable full moon is the Cold Moon on Dec. 4.
23:02, 03.11.2025Science
November’s Full Beaver Moon: Biggest Supermoon in Years
A striking celestial show arrives in November: the Full Beaver Moon, and this year it will appear larger and brighter than most full moons we've seen recently. The effect is caused by the moon reaching a point in its orbit closer to Earth at the same time it becomes full — a phenomenon known as a supermoon.
Peak fullness: 8:19 A.M. EST on Wednesday, November 5. For most observers the best chance to appreciate its size and brightness is around dusk on November 4–6, weather permitting.
Why it’s called the Beaver Moon
The name Beaver Moon comes from traditional naming conventions: November is when beavers are actively building or reinforcing dams in preparation for winter. In some places the same moon is also called the Frosty Moon or the Hunter’s Moon.
What makes it a supermoon?
A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon’s perigee — the point in its elliptical orbit when it is closest to Earth. This November’s full moon is expected to be the closest full moon since 2019, so it should look noticeably bigger and brighter than many recent full moons.
Regional viewing outlook (weather permitting)
- Great Lakes & Northeast: Tuesday evening (Nov. 4) looks like the clearest option for the Northeast with little to no cloud cover; the Great Lakes region has its best window on Wednesday (Nov. 5).
- South: The southern states generally look mostly clear through the prime-viewing window — a great time to step outside and take a look.
- Central U.S.: Plan for Tuesday and Wednesday (Nov. 4–5). A weather system is expected to bring more widespread cloud cover by Thursday.
- West: The Pacific Northwest may be hampered by a series of atmospheric rivers and associated thick cloud cover. Parts of Southern California and the Southwest should have better chances for clear skies.
Viewing tips
- Watch near moonrise or moonset to emphasize the moon’s apparent size on the horizon.
- Pick a dark location away from city lights; allow 10–20 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark.
- Binoculars or a small telescope will enhance details but the full effect of a supermoon is visible to the unaided eye.
If clouds or weather prevent viewing this week, mark your calendar for the next full moon, the Cold Moon, on December 4.
Reported by Caitlin Kaiser — who holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a digital meteorologist at weather.com.