When is the Snow Moon in 2026?

The Snow Moon reaches full phase on February 1, 2026. It rises around sunset that evening and is visible through the night.

Why is it called the Snow Moon?

The name comes from traditional North American almanac usage: it is named for the heaviest snows of late winter. The names were a way to track the seasons by the monthly full moon.

What is a full moon, exactly?

A full moon is the moment the Moon sits opposite the Sun, so the entire Earth-facing side is sunlit. It happens once per roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle and looks full to the eye for about a night on either side.

Snow Moon February 1, 2026

When the Snow Moon peaks, how far away and how bright it is, and how good the view will be.

An image of the moon, as it would appear on 2026-02-01 12:00:00+00:00. (Frame: 757)

Rendering: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio

Full moon: February 1, 2026
Illumination: 100%
Distance: 369,955 km
Apparent size: average

View score: Excellent

A premier night to look up, sky permitting.

100% illuminated

About the Snow Moon

The Snow Moon reaches full phase on February 1, 2026. It is the full moon of February, named for the heaviest snows of late winter.

Full moon is the point in the roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle when the Moon sits opposite the Sun in the sky, so its Earth-facing side is fully lit. It rises around sunset, climbs highest near midnight, and sets near sunrise — visible all night, weather permitting.

How to see the Snow Moon

The Snow Moon sits about 371,950 km from Earth, close to the average Earth–Moon distance, so it appears a typical size in the sky.

For the best view, find the eastern horizon shortly after sunset on February 1, 2026; the Moon looks largest and most colorful when it is low, an illusion created by foreground landmarks. No equipment is needed, though binoculars sharpen the craters along the day–night line on the nights just before and after.

Frequently asked

When is the Snow Moon in 2026?: The Snow Moon reaches full phase on February 1, 2026. It rises around sunset that evening and is visible through the night.
Why is it called the Snow Moon?: The name comes from traditional North American almanac usage: it is named for the heaviest snows of late winter. The names were a way to track the seasons by the monthly full moon.
What is a full moon, exactly?: A full moon is the moment the Moon sits opposite the Sun, so the entire Earth-facing side is sunlit. It happens once per roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle and looks full to the eye for about a night on either side.

Every full moon in 2026

Wolf MoonJanuary 3
Worm MoonMarch 3
Pink MoonApril 2
Flower MoonMay 1
Blue MoonMay 31
Strawberry MoonJune 29
Buck MoonJuly 29
Sturgeon MoonAugust 28
Corn MoonSeptember 26
Hunter's MoonOctober 26
Beaver MoonNovember 24
Cold MoonDecember 24

See the full 2026 full moon calendar, or the sunset & twilight times for golden-hour planning.