The Wolf Moon is prowling into view as January’s first full moon of 2026 peaks tonight, sharing the spotlight with the Quadrantid meteor showers. Skywatching will be a dramatic celestial opening to the new year.
As the first full moon—and a supermoon—of 2026, the Wolf Moon offers an eye-catching lunar display even as it competes with one of winter’s most powerful meteor showers.
What Is the Wolf Moon?
A full moon occurs when the Moon sits directly opposite the Sun in Earth’s sky, allowing its entire face to be illuminated. January’s full moon officially reaches peak illumination at 5:03 a.m. EST (10:03 GMT) on January 3, though it will appear full to the naked eye on surrounding nights. According to TimeandDate, this alignment happens once during each 27-day lunar orbit.
The January full moon is traditionally known as the Wolf Moon, a name tied to folklore about hungry wolves howling during long, cold winter nights. The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes that it is also called the “Moon After Yule” in Anglo-Saxon tradition and the “Severe Moon” by the Dakota people, reflecting the harsh winter conditions of the season.
