What is a Snow Moon? When to see it in February 2026

The full Moon gets its name from the cold weather in North America and it’s your final chance to see it in 2026.

That’s because the Snow Moon is related to the time of year and is only spotted in February – it just happens to fall on the first day of the month this year.

Here’s what we know about the Snow Moon and what to expect in UK skies tonight.

What is a Snow Moon?

“February’s typically cold, snowy weather in North America earned its full moon the name snow moon”, explains Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG).

It can also be called a Storm Moon or Hunger Moon.

When will the Snow Moon be visible tonight?

The Snow Moon will be most visible at 10.09pm tonight, based on the Royal Observatory’s location in London.

While seeing it in the sky could be an incredible experience, it’s advised that you watch the Moon as it climbs.

How to see a full Moon

BBC Sky At Night Magazine explains that “many astronomers will tell you not to bother trying to observe the full Moon, as it’s best seen during the crescent and gibbous phases.”

But, if you’re excited to see a full Moon, it’s suggested you go to an observing site on a clear night.

Tips for night sky photos on your phone

The magazine suggests: “It’s all too easy to take the rising full Moon for granted, only stopping to watch if you glimpse it inadvertently rather than treating it as a celestial event in its own right.

“Yet if you can get to an observing site with an unobstructed horizon on a clear evening, there are many fascinating phenomena to catch sight of as the Moon climbs.”

When it comes to photographing a planet on a phone, the magazine adds: “If you want to record the planets as more than just dots, point your phone’s camera down the pre-focused eyepiece of a telescope.

“Known as afocal imaging, this takes a bit of practice and a steady hand!”

When is the next full Moon and when was the last?

The last full Moon was the Wolf Moon on Saturday, January 3.

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After the Snow Moon, you can look forward to seeing the Worm Moon, which is a name given to it by Native Americans.

It’s named “after the worm trails that would appear in the newly thawed ground”.

However, it can also be called a few different names.

RMG explains: “Other names include chaste moon, death moon, crust moon and sap moon, after the tapping of the maple trees.”

Will you be looking out for the Snow Moon tonight? Let us know in the comments.