Seattle, Washington – The first weekend of the New Year brings a rare celestial highlight to Washington state as the Wolf Moon rises as a supermoon, giving residents their final chance to see a full moon this large and bright until the end of 2026. If breaks in cloud cover develop, this could be one of the most striking moonrises the Pacific Northwest will see for years.
According to astronomical timing, the Wolf Moon reaches peak illumination early Saturday morning around 2:03 a.m. PST, but the most dramatic viewing opportunity arrives later that day. Across western Washington, including Seattle and Tacoma, sunset occurs shortly after 4:30 p.m., with moonrise following during early twilight. That timing places the moonrise during the blue-hour window, when the moon appears larger, brighter, and more dramatic against the fading glow of dusk.
This full moon qualifies as a supermoon because it aligns closely with perigee, the moon’s closest point to Earth. That proximity allows it to appear up to 14 percent larger and roughly 30 percent brighter than an average full moon. Viewers in Everett, Olympia, Bellingham, Vancouver, and across central and eastern Washington should see the moon rise Saturday evening and climb high into the night sky, remaining visible for hours if skies cooperate.
The Wolf Moon takes its name from winter folklore tied to the howling of wolves during the coldest weeks of the year. January’s full moon also hangs higher in the sky than any other full moon of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, giving Washington a longer viewing window compared to later months.
For the best view, skywatchers should face east at moonrise from an open shoreline along Puget Sound, a hilltop, park, or wide-open landscape east of the Cascades with a clear horizon. While the moon will appear full throughout the night, Saturday evening offers the most dramatic contrast and photographic potential. After this weekend, another supermoon won’t return until late 2026, making this a memorable way to open the New Year across Washington.
