Upcoming supermoon in December. Check out the date and Ohio weather forecast.

The December full moon will mark the last supermoon of 2025. After a year filled with striking astronomical sights, from the northern lights to the Leonid meteor shower, stargazers can now look forward to the December cold moon. However, with several Ohio counties under snow emergencies on Dec. 1 and 2, weather conditions may affect visibility.

Peak Viewing Time

The cold moon will reach its brightest phase on Thursday, December 4, at 6:14 p.m. ET, according to Space.com. While it appears full all night and even for a day or two afterward, this moment marks the best time for observation.

Ohio Weather Forecast for the December Full Moon

Major Ohio cities are expected to have mostly favorable conditions for viewing:

• Akron: Partly cloudy skies Thursday evening, no precipitation, with a low of 9F.
• Cincinnati: Partly sunny during the day, evening clouds with no rain, high of 30F and low of 13F.
• Columbus: Mostly clear skies Thursday night, no precipitation expected, low of 8F.

Supermoon Details

December's full moon is a supermoon, meaning it will appear noticeably larger and brighter than an ordinary full moon. This happens when the moon reaches its perigee, or closest point to Earth, during its elliptical orbit. NASA notes that a supermoon can look up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a standard full moon.

Moon Phases and Current Illumination

As of Dec. 2, the moon is 12 days old, in a waxing gibbous phase at approximately 90% illumination. Moon phases for December show the progression toward the full moon on Dec. 4.

The Cold Moon Name

The December full moon is traditionally called the cold moon. This name, originating from Mohawk tradition, reflects the chilly temperatures typical of early December. Full moon names are often derived from Native American and other cultural observations.

Looking Ahead

The next full moon, known as the wolf moon, will occur on Saturday, January 3, 2026. It will also be a supermoon, marking the first full moon of the new year.

Author: Sophia Brooks