Full moon to shine very bright this week in Ontario

February’s full moon is set to light up Ontario’s night skies this week and is anticipated to be the brightest one yet!

RELATED: All the full moons in 2025 and when they will appear in Ontario

The Snow Moon follows January’s Wolf Moon and gets its name from the heavy snowfall that typically occurs this time of year.

According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name was historically used by Indigenous cultures and early settlers to mark the harsh winter conditions of February.

Space.com notes on its website that the moon will reach peak illumination on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 8:53 a.m., though it will be below the horizon at that time. For the best view, stargazers should look to the sky on the night of Feb. 11 or later on Feb. 12, when the moon will drift above the eastern horizon around sunset and reach its highest point at midnight.

Now, what makes this month’s full moon different from the others and even brighter than usual? According to NASA, fresh snowfall on the ground acts as a natural reflector, amplifying the moon’s glow and making it appear even more luminous. Snow can reflect up to 90 per cent of light, enhancing the moon’s brilliance against the winter landscape.

With Environment Canada forecasting snow for Wednesday night, though approximate accumulations remain unknown, fresh snowfall on the ground could create the perfect conditions for an especially radiant Snow Moon.

In case you’re curious about February’s full lunar schedule, here it is as noted by The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

• First Quarter – February 5 at 3:03 a.m.
• Full Moon (Snow Moon) – February 12 at 8:54 a.m.
• Last Quarter – February 20 at 12:34 p.m.
• New Moon – February 27 at 7:46 p.m.

In addition, much like last month’s planetary parade on Jan. 21, when four planets aligned in the sky in Ontario, February continues to offer plenty of celestial sights.

According to NASA, several planets will be visible this month:

• Mercury will appear low on the horizon in late February, shining brightly as the sun sets.
• Venus will continue to be one of the most brilliant sights in the western sky after sunset.
• Mars will glow with its signature amber hue, positioned high in the east each evening before setting just before sunrise.
• Jupiter, the largest planet, will be one of the brightest objects overhead at night.
• Saturn will be visible for about an hour after sunset, but it will gradually sink lower as the month goes on.

A highlight this month will be on Feb. 24, when Mercury and Saturn appear close together near the western horizon after sunset. This rare sight will be a great chance for skywatchers to observe the two planets side by side.

For the best views, NASA recommends finding a dark location with a clear horizon.