February full moon 2026: See the Snow Moon
The February Full Moon is almost here, and fittingly it’s called the Snow Moon; perfect for the winter weather much of the country has been experiencing. Keep reading to find out more about this month's moon, and when you can see it.
When is the February Full Moon?
February's Full Moon will occur on Sunday, Feb. 1. Time and Date estimates it will peak at 5:09 p.m. ET.
What is the February Full Moon called?
Full Moons all have different names, and February's Moon is known as the Snow Moon according to Royal Museums Greenwich. There's not a lot of mystery behind this name, since February is often the snowiest month of the year.
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When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on March 3, 2026. This will also be a total lunar eclipse in parts of the world, including North America.
What are the lunar phases?
The Full Moon is one of the eight stages in the Moon’s 29.5-day cycle as it orbits Earth. Each phase reflects how much of the Moon’s surface is illuminated from what we can see on Earth. We always face the same side of the Moon, but as it travels around Earth, the angle of sunlight changes, which is why it sometimes appears full, sometimes half-lit, and sometimes nearly invisible.
The phases are:
New Moon — The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent — A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter — Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.
Waxing Gibbous — More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon — The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous — The moon starts losing light on the right side.
Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) — Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent — A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
Lois Mackenzie is a freelance reporter at Mashable. Over the years she has written for many publications, covering everything from the local news to the best pair of running shoes. You can find bylines in publications including Fit&Well, Metro, and Coach magazine, usually covering deals on everything from earbuds to TVs, or guides on how to beat your half marathon time.
Lois also holds a Master's degree in Digital Journalism from Strathclyde University and obtained a Master of Arts in English Literature at the University of Aberdeen.
