Prepare for the Supermoon Spectacle: December's ‘Cold Moon’ to Illuminate the Winter Night Sky

Across much of the United States, chilly temperatures will greet those venturing outdoors to witness the last supermoon of 2025. This early December full moon concludes a series of three supermoons that appeared in the latter part of the year, following previous events in October and November.

Supermoons often appear in clusters during the year. They occur when the moons orbit brings it closer to Earth, making it appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the dimmest full moons, according to NASA.

This week, the moon will begin rising as a supermoon on Wednesday evening, reaching its peak visibility on Thursday shortly after sunset at 6:15 p.m. EST, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.

The cold December air has inspired the Mohawk tribe to nickname this moon the Cold Moon, a fitting title for 2025. Meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser from Weather.com noted that a stretch from the Southwest to the Northeast will likely have the clearest skies to enjoy the supermoon. However, thick clouds across the Northwest, Northern Plains, and Southeast may limit visibility. She added that large areas of the country will experience temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit later in the week, so warm clothing is recommended for sky-watchers.

For those fortunate enough to catch clear skies, its an ideal moment to photograph the full moon. Even if your photos often fall short of reality, a detailed guide is available for capturing the night sky with a smartphone. Readers are encouraged to share their supermoon images in the comments or email them to morning.brief@weather.com, as selected photos may be featured in the daily newsletter.

If you happen to miss this supermoon, another opportunity will come in January 2026, followed by two additional super full moons in November and December of the same year.

Author: Sophia Brooks