Mark your calendars for a celestial spectacle in January 2026! The year's first full moon, known as the Wolf Moon, will grace the UK skies on January 3rd, offering a dazzling display to light up the post-Christmas blues. But here's the intriguing part: this full moon is a supermoon, the fourth in a row following the Harvest Moon in October, the Beaver Moon in November, and the Cold Moon in December. And get this: it's not just any supermoon; it's the first of 13 full moons in 2026! But why the extra moon in May? Well, that's a story for another day. For now, let's focus on the Wolf Moon's arrival.
The Wolf Moon gets its name from ancient traditions, marking the changing seasons and significant events. And it's not just a name; it's a celestial phenomenon. The Moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, meaning its distance from us varies. When the Moon is at its closest point, called perigee, and coincides with a full moon, we call it a supermoon. During perigee, the Moon is approximately 220,000 miles away from Earth, making it appear larger and brighter in the night sky. While we typically have three or four supermoons annually, having four in a row is quite unusual.
So, when can you witness this lunar spectacle? The Wolf supermoon will rise on Saturday, January 3rd, and reach its fullest phase at 10:03 GMT. But the real showstopper is when the moon is closest to the horizon during evening moonrise, which varies across the UK. In Aberdeen, it will occur at 15:06; in Belfast at 15:48; in Oxford at 15:51; and in Swansea at 16:03. Clear skies are expected across most of the UK, except for Northern Scotland, eastern England, and west Wales, where clouds and the risk of snow showers may dampen the view.
If you miss the Wolf Moon, don't fret! The next opportunity to see a supermoon as large and bright as this will be in November. However, 2026 is a special year with 13 full moons, including two in May, making it a rare occurrence. So, mark your calendars, and keep an eye on the weather forecast to ensure you don't miss this extraordinary celestial event!
