Overview
- Peak illumination occurs at 5:09 p.m. ET on Feb. 1 (10:09 p.m. GMT), with the moon rising near sunset and appearing brightest once skies darken.
- The moon will look full to most observers Saturday through Monday, offering backup viewing windows if clouds intrude, with NOAA outlooks showing many U.S. areas clear early Sunday night.
- Best results come at moonrise low in the east where the moon illusion can make it seem larger, and darker sites reduce glare for a sharper view.
- Skywatchers can spot bright Jupiter nearby and the star Regulus close to the moon, with the scene set near Cancer amid familiar winter constellations.
- The name “Snow Moon” reflects heavy late‑winter snowfall in North America, and the next major lunar event arrives March 3 with a total lunar eclipse.