Here's when to see the February 2025 full moon

February’s full moon peaks this week, illuminating the skies during the shortest month of the year. 

Here’s what to know if you hope to catch the celestial display:

Full moon of February 2025

Timeline:

The second full moon of the year will reach peak illumination on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 8:53 a.m. ET, meaning skywatchers will need to catch it either before or after its peak due to the position of the sun. Luckily, the moon will appear full in the two days before and after the peak. 

FILE - A seagull flies as full moon rises and lights up the sky in on Feb. 22, 2024. (Photo by Mesut Karaduman/Anadolu via Getty Images)

What you can do:

The best sight of February’s full moon will be the night before or later on Wednesday, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. It will drift above the horizon in the east around sunset and reach its highest point in the sky around midnight.

February’s ‘Snow Moon’

The backstory:

February’s full moon, known as the "Snow Moon," is traditionally associated with chilly weather and snow on the ground in the northern latitudes. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the moon is also known by other names, including the Bald Eagle Moon, Bear Moon, Goose Moon, Groundhog Moon and Hungry Moon.

This year, the full moon occurs 10 days after Groundhog Day, a tradition celebrated annually to predict the weather. On Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, signaling six more weeks of winter. 

What's next:

March will be packed with more astronomical events, including a total lunar eclipse, a partial solar eclipse and another full Moon. In addition, Daylight Saving Time begins on March 9, and the spring equinox will occur on March 20 in the Northern Hemisphere.

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