‘Snow Moon’ to light up skies in Ontario next month

Ontario’s night skies are set to brighten next month, with a full moon and a rare planetary parade both expected in February.

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 Full Snow Moon will reach peak illumination at 5:09 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 1.

While the peak occurs near sunset, stargazers can step outside after dusk to see the full moon rising in the eastern sky.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes the name comes from long-standing lunar naming traditions used by Indigenous peoples, early settlers, and European sources. February was historically associated with deep winter snowfall, giving rise to the Snow Moon name.

Several Indigenous traditions have alternative names for February’s moon. The Cree referred to it as the Eagle Moon. The Ojibwe called it the Bear Moon, marking the time when bear cubs are born. The Dakota used the name Raccoon Moon, while some Algonquin peoples called it the Groundhog Moon. Cherokee traditions referred to this period as the Hungry Moon, reflecting food scarcity during late winter.

In case you’re curious about February’s full lunar schedule, here it is as noted by The Old Farmer’s Almanac (all times Eastern Standard Time):

• Full Moon (Snow Moon) – Feb. 1 at 5:09 p.m.
• Last Quarter – Feb. 9 at 7:43 a.m.
• New Moon – Feb. 17 at 7:01 a.m.
• First Quarter – Feb. 24 at 7:27 a.m.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac also highlights favourable days in February 2026 for certain activities based on the moon’s sign and phase. Aboveground crops are recommended on Feb. 26 and 27, belowground crops on Feb. 8 and 9, setting eggs on Feb. 5, 6 and 25, and fishing from Feb. 1 and Feb. 17 through 28.

Late February will also bring a rare planetary parade. According to NASA, on Feb. 28, six planets will appear in the evening sky. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will be visible shortly after sunset. Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be easy to spot with the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or a telescope. Mercury may be harder to see as it sits low on the horizon.

Similar planetary parades were visible last year. In January 2025, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune gathered in the evening sky, while an August 2025 alignment featured Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, along with the Moon, in the pre-dawn sky.