Another month, another full moon — but this one is a bit extra special.
This Sunday, February 1, February’s illustrious full moon will rise — otherwise known as the “Snow Moon.”
Here’s everything to know about it:
Why is the February full moon called the “Snow Moon”?
Though it doesn’t apply to Miami, you can probably guess where this moon gets its name. Winter weather! February is usually the month with the most snowfall across the U.S. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, this name was first written by Captain Jonathan Carver in the 1760s when visited the Naudowessie tribe (Dakota/Sioux people). He wrote the moon’s namesake came from the fact that snow falls most often in February than any other time of year.
Still, other Native American tribes had different terms for it, from the “Hungry Moon” by the Cherokee (due to how difficult it was to find food during this month) to the Ojibwe’s “Bear Moon” and Tlingit’s “Black Bear Moon” (because of time of year bear cubs are born).
When is the best time to see the Snow Moon?
According to The Weather Channel, the moon’s visibility and brightness will peak at 5:09 p.m. on Sunday, February 1. Since we just hit 6 p.m. sunsets in Miami, it will be more visible the later/darker it gets, but there will likely be some beautiful views of the moon rising over the sunset!
As with all full moons, you’ll still catch nice views of it the day before and after (Saturday and Monday).
What makes this one special?
Though February’s Snow Moon isn’t a rare supermoon or something of the like, most winter full moons are actually a special sight to behold. Because of the Earth’s tilt in the winter, the Northern Hemisphere is farther from the sun and therefore full moons are higher up in the sky, resulting in a beautiful overhead view. The moons tend to look brighter in winter too, since it reflects off the snow on the ground (ok, not applicable to Florida, but a nice element for the northern states!).
Is there any astrological or chart significance?
If you’re a fan of astrology, the Snow Moon is astrologically in Leo (though astronomically it is in Cancer). StarWalk shares that the Snow Moon is often connected with “reflection, patience, and emotional clarity. It encourages letting go of what feels heavy or outdated, making space for renewal and gentle beginnings.” It can also be known as a time for “mindfulness, inner balance, and trust in the natural timing of change.”
What’s next?
March will bring in the iridescent “Worm Moon,” which is also a “Blood Moon” aka a Lunar Eclipse! Mark your calendars for that one on Tuesday, March 3.