February Full Moon 2026 Date and Peak Illumination
The February full moon in 2026 reaches peak illumination on Saturday, February 25, at 11:54 AM Eastern Time, according to NASA's official lunar phase data. The moon will be located in the constellation Leo during this period, with an apparent magnitude of approximately -12.74. This full moon is traditionally called the Snow Moon because it typically coincides with the heaviest snowfall in North America. The February 2026 lunar cycle began with the new moon on February 10, 2026, and the waning gibbous phase will precede peak illumination by several days. For precise timezone-adjusted times, consult the U.S. Naval Observatory's Astronomical Applications Department.
Skywatchers in the Western Hemisphere will see the moon rise in the east around sunset on February 25, 2026, with local moonrise times varying by latitude. In New York City, moonrise is expected around 5:47 PM EST, while in Los Angeles, moonrise occurs near 6:12 PM PST. The moon will be approximately 384,400 kilometers from Earth at peak illumination, placing it near its average orbital distance. This full moon is not classified as a supermoon because the lunar perigee does not coincide with the exact full phase. The next full moon after the Snow Moon will occur on March 27, 2026, known as the Worm Moon.
Super Snow Moon or Not: Orbital Distance and Brightness
The term supermoon refers to a full moon that occurs within 90 percent of its closest approach to Earth, called perigee. In February 2026, the moon's perigee occurs on February 24, 2026, at a distance of roughly 357,000 kilometers, while the full moon phase arrives the following day. This separation means the February 2026 full moon falls just outside the strict supermoon threshold used by most astronomers. Despite this, the moon will still appear noticeably bright and larger than a micromoon, which occurs near apogee. The angular diameter at peak illumination will measure approximately 33.5 arcminutes, compared to the average of 31 arcminutes.
Tidal forces during the February 2026 full moon will be moderate because the moon is not at perigee during exact syzygy. Coastal regions can expect standard spring tide ranges, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publishing daily tide predictions for affected areas. The moon's brightness during the February 2026 full moon will reach a visual magnitude of -12.74, making it the brightest natural object in the night sky after the sun. This brightness can reduce the visibility of faint celestial objects, a phenomenon astronomers call lunar interference. Astrophotographers planning to capture the Snow Moon should use a telephoto lens and a tripod to manage the high contrast.
Cultural Significance and Historical Names for the February Full Moon
The Snow Moon name originates from the Algonquin tribes of North America, who associated the February full moon with heavy snowfall that made hunting difficult. Other Native American tribes used different names, such as the Hunger Moon, reflecting the scarcity of food during midwinter. In the Chinese lunar calendar, the February 2026 full moon falls in the first month, corresponding to the Lantern Festival period in some years, though the exact festival date shifts annually. The Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri, which honors Lord Shiva, often aligns with the lunar cycle in February, with the exact date determined by the moon's phase.
Modern astronomy and cultural traditions intersect during the February 2026 full moon, as starg