As the calendar page turned to 2026, skywatchers across the United States prepared for a celestial event that promised to start the year with a dazzling display: the Wolf Moon, the first full moon of the year, set to rise on the night of Friday, January 2 and reach its peak in the early hours of Saturday, January 3. But this was no ordinary full moon. According to the Farmer’s Almanac and NASA, this Wolf Moon would be a supermoon, appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the faintest moon of the year—a spectacle that would not return until November 2026.
So, what exactly makes this Wolf Moon so special? A supermoon occurs when a full or new moon coincides with perigee, the closest point in the moon’s elliptical orbit to Earth. As Dr. Catherine Pilachowski of Indiana University explained to IndyStar, “The moon’s orbit around the Earth is not a circle but an ellipse. When the full moon coincides with the moon at perigee we have a supermoon.” This proximity not only makes the moon look bigger and brighter, but also causes higher tides—a subtle yet powerful reminder of the moon’s influence over our planet.
For many, the Wolf Moon is more than just a scientific phenomenon. Its name is steeped in tradition and folklore. The Farmer’s Almanac notes that January’s full moon became known as the Wolf Moon because wolves were more likely to be heard howling at this time. While early beliefs attributed the howling to hunger during the cold winter months, modern science tells a different story. As the Smithsonian and the Old Farmer’s Almanac point out, wolves howl in winter for social reasons: to locate pack members, reinforce bonds, define territory, and coordinate hunting. The Assiniboine people of the Northern Great Plains have another name for it—the Center Moon—because it marks the middle of the cold season. Other Native American tribes have called it the Frost Exploding Moon, Hard Moon, or Spirit Moon, while Celtic traditions refer to it as the Stay Home Moon or Quiet Moon.
Across the country, anticipation for the Wolf Moon’s rise was tempered by weather forecasts. In western and central New York, the National Weather Service predicted snowy and cloudy conditions overnight on January 2-3, making moon viewing a challenge. Lake effect snow warnings were in place for Onondaga and Oneida counties, where up to 18 inches of snow was expected by Saturday morning. Even more dramatic, parts of Lewis, Jefferson, and Oswego counties could see up to 3 feet of snow. The Hudson Valley and Capital region near Albany also faced partly or mostly cloudy skies, while New York City and Long Island hoped for clearer breaks in the clouds.
In Iowa, the outlook was similarly cloudy. The National Weather Service forecasted about 80% cloud coverage in central Iowa around 3 a.m. on January 3, potentially obscuring the supermoon for local skywatchers, according to the Des Moines Register. Meanwhile, in Illinois, residents braced for frigid temperatures—18 degrees in Chicago, 23 in central Illinois, and 30 in the south—with mostly cloudy skies predicted throughout the state. Nonetheless, die-hard stargazers bundled up, hoping for a lucky break in the clouds.
Alabama offered a glimmer of hope for clearer skies. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac and USA Today, central Alabama would see mostly cloudy conditions with showers and thunderstorms on Saturday morning, but skies were expected to clear by Saturday night. Temperatures in the upper 50s to lower 70s and light winds promised comfortable conditions for those willing to wait for the clouds to part.
For those determined to catch a glimpse of the supermoon, timing was everything. The Wolf Moon would rise from the eastern horizon around sunset on Friday, January 2. By midnight, it would glow bright and round overhead, and by sunrise on January 3, it would set in the west. Peak illumination was set for 5:03 a.m. Eastern Time (4:03 a.m. Central, 4:03 a.m. local time in Alabama, and 4:04 a.m. in Illinois), according to the Farmer’s Almanac and Old Farmer’s Almanac. That meant early risers and night owls alike had a window to witness the moon at its most brilliant.
For those in urban areas facing light pollution, stargazing apps like SkyView Lite, Star Walk 2, and Star Chart were recommended to help locate stars, planets, and constellations. In Illinois, the Adler Planetarium suggested spots like the Chicago lakefront, the Palos Preserves, and the 606 Trail for city dwellers seeking a better view. Meanwhile, state parks and campgrounds across the country offered darker skies for an even more striking lunar display.
The Wolf Moon was more than just a one-night wonder. It marked the start of a year filled with celestial events. According to NASA, 2026 would feature three supermoons—the Wolf Moon on January 3, the Beaver Moon on November 24, and the Cold Moon on December 23. There would also be two lunar eclipses visible in the Americas: a total lunar eclipse, or blood moon, on March 3, and a partial lunar eclipse on August 28. The full moon schedule for the year included the Snow Moon on February 1, the Worm Moon (coinciding with the total lunar eclipse) on March 3, and a rare Blue Moon on May 31, among others.
For those who missed this supermoon, patience would be required—the next chance wouldn’t come until late November. But for many, the 2026 Wolf Moon was a reminder of the enduring wonder of the night sky, a chance to pause, look up, and marvel at the universe’s quiet grandeur, even if only for a few fleeting hours between winter clouds and snowdrifts.
Whether seen from a snowy New York backyard, a chilly Illinois field, a clouded Iowa farm, or a clearing Alabama sky, the Wolf Moon of January 2026 brought together science, folklore, and the simple joy of watching the heavens—ushering in the new year with a luminous, unforgettable show.