Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The first weekend of the New Year brings a rare skywatching moment across Pennsylvania as the Wolf Moon rises as a supermoon, offering the last chance to see a full moon this large and bright until the end of 2026. With winter nights often clearer and crisper, conditions could be favorable for viewing from cities, suburbs, and rural areas alike.
According to astronomical timing, the Wolf Moon reaches peak illumination early Saturday morning around 5:03 a.m. EST, but the most striking view comes later that day. In Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania, sunset occurs just before 4:50 p.m., with moonrise following minutes later during early twilight. That timing places the moon’s appearance in the blue-hour window, when it looks oversized and richly colored near the eastern horizon.
This full moon qualifies as a supermoon because it occurs close to perigee, the moon’s nearest point to Earth. That alignment allows it to appear up to 14 percent larger and roughly 30 percent brighter than a typical full moon. Viewers in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown, Scranton, and across the Lehigh Valley should see the moon rise Saturday evening and remain visible well into the night.
The Wolf Moon is named for winter folklore tied to the howling of wolves during the coldest weeks of the year. January’s full moon also rides higher across the sky than any other full moon of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, giving Pennsylvania one of the longest viewing windows nationwide.
For the best experience, skywatchers should face east at moonrise from an open park, ridgeline, farmland, or elevated overlook with a clear horizon. While the moon will appear full throughout the night, Saturday evening offers the most dramatic contrast against fading daylight. After this weekend, another supermoon will not return until late 2026, making this a standout way to begin the New Year.
