JACKSON, Wyo. — The final major lunar event of 2025 will take place on Thursday, Dec. 4, as the moon reaches peak fullness just before sunset.
December’s full moon, known as the “Cold Moon,” will be the third consecutive supermoon. The moon will be 100% full at 4:14 p.m., but daylight could affect the view because sunset will not take place until 4:47 p.m. The moon will still appear full on Friday when it rises at 5:16 p.m., after sunset. Temps are expected to dip down into the teens overnight Wednesday and Thursday, setting the stage for chilly lunar viewing.
To qualify as a supermoon, a new or full moon must occur within 90% of the moon’s closest approach to the Earth along its elliptical orbit, according to NASA.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the Nêhiyawak (Cree) people have called December’s full moon the “Drift Clearing Moon,” “Exploding Trees Moon” and “Hoar Frost Moon,” all in reference to the cold and snow. Ani-Yvwiya (Cherokee) and Haida nations called December’s moon the “Snow Moon.” Wabanaki (Western Abenaki) called it the “Winter Maker Moon.” The Anishinaabe (Algonquin) tribes named December’s full moon the “Wolf Moon” after the wolf packs roaming through the snow at this time of year.
The Muhheaconneok (Mohican) name, the “Long Night Moon,” refers to the long nights surrounding the winter solstice and the fact that this full moon hangs above the horizon for longer than other full moons. Ancient pagans called December’s full moon the “Moon Before Yule” referring to the Yuletide festival celebrating the winter solstice.
