The full Snow Moon will rise Sunday evening, creating a vivid midwinter display as nearly half of the U.S. remains snow-covered. Named for frequent heavy February snowfall, the moon will climb after sunset and be visible from the eastern horizon. Recent historic storms and an expected bomb cyclone make this year's name especially apt. Clear winter air often makes the Snow Moon appear especially bright; binoculars or a telescope will enhance surface details.
Full Snow Moon Rises Sunday — Bright Midwinter Display Over Snow-Covered U.S.
Snow moon rises behind Corno Grande and Pizzo Cefalone peaks (Gran Sasso dItalia National Park) in LAquila, Abruzzo (Italy), on February 5, 2023. February full moon is usually called a snow moon. (Photo by Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The full Snow Moon will rise Sunday evening, offering a striking midwinter spectacle as nearly half of the United States remains under snow. Rising shortly after sunset, the moon’s name reflects the heavy snowfall that often marks February — one of the coldest months across much of the Northern Hemisphere.
After a recent historic ice-and-snow storm across the eastern U.S. and with a bomb cyclone expected to follow, this year’s Snow Moon feels especially fitting. Despite extreme cold in places including parts of the South and Northeast, clear winter air can make lunar viewing excellent: the moon often appears crisper and brighter in cold, dry conditions than it does in warmer months.
When and Where To Watch
Look to the eastern horizon shortly after sunset on Sunday, Feb. 1. Weather will determine visibility — cloud cover can obscure the moon, while clear skies will provide an ideal viewing opportunity. The moon will appear largely full for several days before and after the peak night, so observers have a multi-day window to catch it.
Viewing Tips
No special equipment is required to enjoy the show, but binoculars or a small telescope will reveal surface details such as craters and the darker lunar plains (maria). For the sharpest view, find a location with an unobstructed eastern horizon and allow your eyes a few minutes to adjust to the dark.
Quick reminder: Dress warmly if you plan to watch outside — midwinter nights can be bitterly cold where snow and storms have recently occurred.
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