Full moon February 2026: Snow Moon peaks tonight as skywatchers spot Jupiter nearby

The full moon February 2026 arrives Sunday, Feb. 1, with the “Snow Moon” reaching peak illumination at 5:09 p.m. ET. For anyone asking “is tonight a full moon,” the answer is yes — and it will also look nearly full on the evenings immediately before and after the peak, which is why many people searching “full moon tonight” see a bright, round moon even if they step outside hours later.

With clear skies in many regions, the timing puts the show right around early evening: the Moon rises near sunset, climbs higher through the night, and sets near sunrise Monday.

Full moon February 2026: Snow Moon timing and what to expect

If you’ve searched full moon february 2026 snow moon, february full moon 2026, or full moon snow moon, the key detail is the peak moment: 5:09 p.m. ET on Feb. 1. That’s the instant the Moon is “full” in astronomical terms, when it sits opposite the Sun in Earth’s sky.

Because the change is gradual, it’s normal for the Moon to appear full for roughly a day on either side. That’s why questions like “is it a full moon” can feel confusing — visually, a near-full Moon can look identical to the true peak to the naked eye.

Quick guide for February 2026 (ET):

This also covers the common “full moon feb 2026” lookup, which typically just means the same February full Moon timing.

Snow Moon: why February’s full Moon has that name

“Snow Moon” is one of the traditional nicknames tied to seasonal patterns in North America, where February has often been associated with heavier snowfall and harsher winter conditions. The name doesn’t guarantee snow in your backyard — it’s a calendar label, not a forecast — but it’s stuck because it’s easy to remember and fits the winter vibe of an early-February full moon.

If clouds block the view at the exact peak, don’t worry: the Snow Moon will still appear bright and nearly full later Sunday night and again on Monday night.

When is the next full moon after the Snow Moon?

People searching “when is the next full moon” or “next full moon” after Feb. 1 don’t have long to wait. The next full Moon after the Snow Moon arrives on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 6:37 a.m. ET.

A practical tip: if you want the easiest viewing experience, the best “next full moon” view is usually the evening before a morning peak (in this case, Monday evening, March 2), when the Moon is already extremely close to full and high enough after dusk to watch comfortably.

What planet is next to the moon tonight?

Another question spiking alongside “full moon tonight” is: what planet is next to the moon tonight?

For many viewers on Sunday evening, the bright point that looks like a steady, oversized “star” near the Moon is most likely Jupiter. It’s been the standout bright planet in the evening sky recently, and it’s bright enough to catch your eye even with the Moon flooding the sky with light.

A quick reality check: the “planet next to the Moon” can vary depending on your location, the exact time you look, and what you mean by “next to.” If the bright point appears to twinkle rapidly, it’s more likely a star; if it shines steadily and looks unusually bright, Jupiter is a strong candidate.

How to watch the full moon without overthinking it

You don’t need a telescope for the full moon February 2026. Step outside around dusk to see it rising, then look again later when it’s higher and brighter. Binoculars can add detail around the edges — bright crater rims and darker volcanic plains — even though full Moon lighting flattens some of the shadows that make craters pop on other nights.

If you’re trying to catch both the Snow Moon and the bright planet nearby, give your eyes a minute to adjust, block nearby streetlights if you can, and scan a wider patch of sky than you think you need. The Moon can make it surprisingly easy to miss objects that are only a short distance away.

Sources consulted: NASA, Royal Museums Greenwich, The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Time and Date