A ‘Snow Moon’ Signals The Beginning Of February This Weekend — Here’s What That Means

Did you know that February’s full moon is called the “Snow Moon?” The second full moon of the year is due to reach its full phase this Sunday, February 1st, at 2:09pm over Los Angeles. It will appear full to the naked eye on the nights of January 31st and February 1st. February also marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, which aligns with the new moon this year on February 17th, 2026. This is the Year of the Horse , which symbolizes energy, freedom, and confidence. You can best appreciate the Snow Moon in areas with less light pollution, such as the Santa Monica Mountain and Angeles National Forest. Keep reading for a closer look... Why is it called a “Snow Moon?” ------------------------------- The February full moon is called a “Snow Moon” because it’s historically the month that North America experiences the most snowfall. Like many full moon names, “Snow Moon” comes from Native American tribes such as the Indigenous Dakota people. *The Old Farmer’s Almanac* asserts that Captain Jonathan Carver wrote the name “Snow Moon” after visiting with the Dakota in the 1760s. Other Indigenous names for the February full moon include the Bald Eagle Moon or Eagle Moon (Cree), the Bear Moon (Ojibwe), the Groundhog Moon (Algonquin), and the Hungry Moon (Cherokee). When will the next full moon rise over Southern California? ----------------------------------------------------------- Here’s a look ahead at 2026’s full moon calendar, with peak times over Los Angeles according to Griffith Observatory and TimeAndDate. * Wolf Moon: Jan. 3, 2026 at 2:03am * Snow Moon: Feb. 1, 2026 at 2:09pm * Worm Moon: Mar. 3, 2026 at 3:38am * Pink Moon: Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:12pm * Flower Moon: May 1, 2026 at 10:23am * Blue Moon: May 31, 2026 at 1:45am * Strawberry Moon : June 29, 2026 at 4:56pm * Buck Moon : July 29, 2026 at 7:36am * Sturgeon Moon: Aug. 27, 2026 at 9:18pm * Corn Moon/Harvest Moon: Sept. 26, 2026 at 9:49am * Hunter’s Moon: Oct. 25, 2026 at 9:12pm * Beaver Moon: Nov. 24, 2026 at 6:53am * Cold Moon: Dec. 23, 2026 at 5:28pm Source: https://secretlosangeles.com/february-full-snow-moon/