‘Cold Supermoon’ Now Set To Light Up Minnesota Skies This Week

Get ready to look to the night sky this week, because if you do, you'll be treated to not just any moon, but another supermoon, the last one of the year in Minnesota. 

Seeing as I head into work early in the morning, if the skies are clear, I'm usually treated to various constellations, a few planets every now and again, and, of course, the moon. And if you're a sky-gazer as well, this week is another big one here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Minnesota’s Last Supermoon of the Year Set to Shine This Week

That's because the last supermoon of the year is set to be visible in the skies above the Bold North. Just what is a supermoon, you ask? Well, according to the Old Farmers Almanac (OFA), a 'supermoon' is a full moon whose orbit tracks closer to Earth than usual, making it appear larger and brighter-- 'super,' you might say.

SEE ALSO: Why Your Holiday Feast Depends on MN and WI This Season

This BBC story says that the moon doesn't orbit the Earth in a perfect circle, but has more of an egg-shaped, elliptical orbit. This means the moon isn't always the same distance from the Earth. And this week, it will track as close to Earth as it can get, and will appear larger and brighter-- super, even-- in the night skies.

When and Where Minnesotans Can See the Cold Supermoon

USA Today notes that Thursday night is the next time this Cold Supermoon, as it's called, is set to be visible here in Minnesota and across the country:

The last supermoon of the year will shine bright this week, when it reaches peak illumination at 6:15 p.m. EST, on Dec. 4. This full 'Cold Moon,' will be the third and last of the year and is expected to orbit 221,965 miles from Earth.

USA Today also said that the Cold Supermoon this week is the second largest of the year after November's Beaver Moon. And, even though it won't be completely full, you'll be able to see this supermoon starting Wednesday night, December 3rd, and again on Friday night, December 5th, 2025.

Why This Cold Supermoon Is One of Minnesota’s Rarest Sky Events

This last supermoon should also make for some great photographs if you head outdoors to catch a glimpse. The National Weather Service forecast for much of Minnesota calls for clear conditions through the day Thursday, with just a few clouds overnight-- making this supermoon much more likely to be visible. It will be cold, however, with low temperatures likely in the single digits.

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The Farmers' Almanac notes that this is the final supermoon of the year. And it's the last supermoon until November 2026. Plus, this is also a special super moon because it will be higher in the sky than any other full moon until 2042, the Farmers' Almanac noted.

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