Snow Moon Shines Over U S As West Faces Drought

On Sunday, February 2, 2026, the night sky dazzled with the arrival of the Snow Moon, winter’s last high moon of the season. Peaking at 5:09 p.m. Eastern Time, the Snow Moon lived up to its name, often coinciding with heavy snowfall across North America. Yet, as much of the country hunkered down under blankets of snow, a very different story was unfolding out West, where an extreme snow drought and unusually warm weather were rewriting the script for winter altogether.

According to The Farmer’s Almanac, the Snow Moon will appear full for a few more nights, offering stargazers a lingering spectacle. This year, its arrival carried extra significance, as it came just days before NASA’s much-anticipated Artemis II mission. The agency is preparing for a 10-day journey around the moon, with four astronauts set to board the Orion capsule and lift off as soon as February 6. The timing feels almost poetic—a full moon lighting the way for humanity’s next lunar adventure.

But while the moon shone bright overhead, conditions on the ground couldn’t have been more varied. Punxsutawney Phil, the nation’s most famous groundhog, saw his shadow on Sunday morning, signaling six more weeks of winter for the United States. For snow lovers in the Northeast and Midwest, that prediction rang true, as record snowfall and single-digit temperatures pummeled the region. However, in Central Texas, residents enjoyed moderate temperatures, a stark contrast to the biting cold gripping much of the country. It’s a reminder that winter in America is anything but one-size-fits-all.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Western United States. According to The New York Times, places famed for deep, powdery snow—think Park City, Utah; Vail, Colorado; and central and eastern Oregon—are experiencing an extreme snow drought. Instead of the usual feet of snow, the ground is bare or covered with just a few inches. The extent of snow-covered terrain is at a record low for early February. Instead of skiing or snowmobiling, residents are hiking and biking in 50- and 60-degree weather. It’s enough to make winter sports enthusiasts wince.

“The changes are striking,” scientists told The New York Times, though they’re careful not to attribute the snow drought entirely to climate change. Still, the timing and severity of the conditions have left many scratching their heads. The snowpack in the Colorado Rockies and the Colorado River basin—both vital sources of water for the arid West—has declined dramatically. This is more than just a winter inconvenience; it’s a matter of survival for millions who rely on the slow release of mountain snowmelt to fill rivers, irrigate crops, and supply drinking water throughout the year.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. The region is already in the grip of a 26-year-long megadrought, and the two largest reservoirs on the Colorado River are at alarmingly low levels. These conditions are setting the stage for tense negotiations this year between the Upper and Lower Basin states over how the river’s precious water will be managed in the future. Every drop counts, and the snow drought is making an already complicated situation even more precarious.

Meanwhile, back on the lunar front, excitement is building for NASA’s Artemis II mission. The agency’s plan is to send four astronauts around the moon in the Orion capsule, circling Earth’s nearest neighbor before returning home. It’s a bold step in humanity’s renewed quest to explore deep space, and the timing—so close to the Snow Moon—feels serendipitous. As NASA readies for liftoff, the world watches, reminded of our enduring fascination with the moon and the mysteries it holds.

For those keeping track of celestial events, The Farmer’s Almanac has the rest of 2026’s full moons mapped out: the Worm Moon on March 3, the Pink Moon on April 1, the Flower Moon on May 1, the Blue Moon on May 31, the Strawberry Moon on June 29, the Buck Moon on July 29, the Sturgeon Moon on August 28, the Harvest Moon on September 26, the Hunter’s Moon on October 26, the Beaver Moon on November 24, and the Cold Moon on December 23. Each carries its own lore and seasonal significance, but none quite match the drama of this year’s Snow Moon—coming as it does at a crossroads for both weather and water in America.

As the moon continues to shine full in the night sky, the contrast between regions couldn’t be more pronounced. In Central Texas, the moderate temperatures are a welcome reprieve, while in the Northeast, residents dig out from under relentless snow. In the West, the snow drought is forcing communities to adapt, as winter sports take a back seat to hiking and biking. The implications stretch far beyond recreation. The snowpack serves as nature’s reservoir, storing water that will be desperately needed come summer. Without it, rivers shrink, reservoirs dwindle, and the challenge of managing the Colorado River’s resources becomes even more daunting.

It’s not just scientists and water managers who are watching the snowpack. Farmers, anglers, and city officials across the West are keeping a close eye on the numbers, knowing that the coming months will reveal just how serious the shortfall is. The runoff from melting snow is the lifeblood of the region, sustaining crops, filling trout streams, and ensuring that taps don’t run dry. With the snowpack at a record low, anxiety is running high.

Yet, amid all the uncertainty, there’s a sense of resilience. Westerners are no strangers to drought and adaptation. Communities are already discussing ways to conserve water, invest in infrastructure, and negotiate fair allocations among states. The situation is tense, but there’s also a determination to find solutions, however challenging they may be.

As for the rest of the country, the Snow Moon serves as a reminder of winter’s power and unpredictability. Whether you’re shoveling out from a blizzard or enjoying a balmy day in Texas, the moon’s glow connects us all, even as the weather divides us. And with NASA’s Artemis II mission on the horizon, humanity’s gaze is once again fixed on the heavens, dreaming of new frontiers even as we grapple with the challenges here on Earth.

For now, the Snow Moon continues to shine—a beacon in the night sky, illuminating a season marked by both tradition and transformation.