Seattle, WA / Portland, OR – Skywatchers across Washington and Oregon will be well positioned to see one of the most dramatic celestial events of 2026, with timing that favors late-night viewing and keeps the Moon comfortably high above the horizon during peak moments.
According to astronomical forecasts, four eclipses will occur in 2026, including two solar and two lunar eclipses. For the Pacific Northwest, the clear highlight is the March total lunar eclipse, which should be visible in full across both states, weather permitting.
🌕 March 3, 2026 — Total Lunar Eclipse (Strong Viewing in WA & OR)
This is the top eclipse event of 2026 for U.S. residents, and Washington and Oregon sit just west of the central prime viewing zone, still offering excellent conditions.
According to eclipse timing data, the Moon will enter Earth’s darkest shadow during the late-night to early-morning hours Tuesday, March 3. Viewers in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Vancouver, Portland, Salem, Eugene, Bend, and Medford are expected to see all phases of the eclipse, including a vivid deep red “Blood Moon” during totality.
Unlike much of the East Coast, the Moon will remain high in the sky throughout peak totality in the Pacific Northwest, making for extended viewing and strong photography opportunities — clouds permitting.
👉 Lunar eclipses are safe to view without special glasses.
🌞 August 12, 2026 — Solar Eclipse (Partial in WA & OR)
A highly anticipated total solar eclipse will cross Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain later in the year. In Washington and Oregon, the event will appear only as a partial solar eclipse.
During the mid-to-late morning hours, the Sun will appear partially obscured. Certified solar eclipse glasses are required for safe viewing.
🌕 August 27–28, 2026 — Partial Lunar Eclipse
A second lunar eclipse later in the summer will also be visible across Washington and Oregon, though only modest shadowing of the Moon is expected.
🧭 Washington & Oregon Eclipse Takeaway
- ⭐ Best local event: March 3 total lunar eclipse
- 👀 Viewing quality: Strong — better than East Coast, slightly west of peak
- ☀️ Solar eclipse: Partial locally; totality occurs overseas
