Because the lunar cycle is 28 days, each month of the year has a full moon. Some months have two full moons!
Various groups, including Native American tribes and early Colonial Americans, have nicknamed these celestial events.
There will only be one full moon in Feb. 2025. The “Snow Moon” will reach peak illumination at 8:53 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. However, the best view of the Snow moon can be seen Tuesday night and Wednesday night.
February’s full moon name is tied directly to weather and climate. On average, February is the snowiest month in the United States. The Snow Moon seems like a fitting name for this lunar event!
Along with a weather connection, the February full moon has historically had a connection to animals. The Cree have called this the Eagle Moon or the Bald Eagle Moon.
February is also a common time when bear cubs are born; the Ojibwe and the Tlingit call it the Bear Moon and the Black Bear Moon, respectively. The Dakota also call this the Raccoon Moon. Other animal names for February’s full moon include the Groundhog Moon and the Goose Moon.
It is also believed that difficulty finding food around this time of the year has also influenced the nicknames of the full moon in February. The Cherokee have historically called this full moon the Hungry Moon or the Month of the Bony Moon.
There are eight different phases of the moon. What phase follows a full moon?
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
