Get ready for a celestial spectacle! The first full Moon of 2026, known as the Wolf Supermoon, is set to grace our skies on January 3rd, offering a dazzling display to brighten up the post-holiday blues. This event marks the beginning of an extraordinary year with 13 full Moons, a rare occurrence indeed!
But here's where it gets intriguing: the Wolf Supermoon is the fourth in a row, following the Harvest Moon, Beaver Moon, and Cold Moon. These supermoons occur when the Moon reaches its perigee, the closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. At this point, the Moon appears larger and brighter, a sight not to be missed!
The name 'supermoon' itself is quite fascinating. The Moon's orbit around Earth is not a perfect circle, and this variation in distance gives us the supermoon phenomenon. When the full Moon coincides with the perigee, we witness a supermoon, a term that has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Full Moons have carried traditional names for centuries, each reflecting the changing seasons and significant events. For instance, the Hunter Moon, Harvest Moon, and Flower Moon all have deep-rooted meanings.
The Wolf Supermoon will reach its peak fullness at 10.03 GMT on January 3rd, but its true beauty will be revealed as it rises above the horizon in the evening. This moment varies across the UK, with Aberdeen witnessing it at 15:06, Belfast at 15:48, Oxford at 15:51, and Swansea at 16:03.
And this is the part most people miss: 2026 will treat us to not one but two blue Moons! A blue Moon refers to the second full Moon in a single month, and this year, we get an extra full Moon in May, making it a year of 13 full Moons.
So, will the skies cooperate? Fortunately, most of the UK is expected to have clear skies on Saturday evening and overnight, providing an excellent view of the Wolf Moon. However, Northern Scotland, eastern England, and west Wales may experience more cloud cover and snow showers.
If you plan to venture out, bundle up! It's going to be chilly with a strong northerly wind, and temperatures will drop below freezing in the evening.
Stay tuned for the latest weather updates on the BBC Weather online and app to ensure you don't miss this extraordinary celestial event.
What do you think about the supermoon phenomenon? Do you find it fascinating, or is it just another astronomical event? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
