Almost a Blood Moon Tonight — Here Is Where Clouds Could Ruin the View

A Near-Total Lunar Eclipse Lights Up the Sky

A partial lunar eclipse featuring a coppery-red Moon is visible over the U.S. and other parts of the world on the night of August 27–28, 2026. It is the kind of celestial event that sounds modest on paper — "partial" — but the reality is far more dramatic. This partial lunar eclipse is especially deep, with about 96 percent of the Moon's face covered. It's not quite total — but it may look close enough to take your breath away.

You won't see the Moon disappear from the sky. Instead, it will take on a "rusty, coppery tint," according to NASA — and that color is what gives this August lunar eclipse its "blood moon" nickname. The partial eclipse will last almost 3.5 hours and will peak around 12:13 a.m. EDT. That means most Americans on the East Coast will need to stay up past midnight to catch the main event, while those on the West Coast can watch the Moon rise already deep in eclipse on the evening of August 27.

Who Gets the Best Seat — and Who Might Miss Out

This eclipse will be fully visible over much of eastern North America and South America. In Europe and Africa, the Moon will be setting during the eclipse on the morning of August 28. In the western U.S., western Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii, the Moon will be rising during the eclipse on the evening of August 27. In the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, the rising Moon will look as though a "bite" has been taken from its lower-left edge.

No matter where you live, weather may also get in the way of an ideal eclipse experience. Clouds or smoke from wildfires can obscure the view. The good news is that summer weather patterns work in skywatchers' favor — to a point. Given that it's still summer in the U.S., large-scale storm systems that spread clouds far and wide are less likely to develop. But localized storms are another matter entirely.

A Region-by-Region Weather Breakdown

According to forecast models, the Northeast might experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, which could hinder visibility from the Mid-Atlantic to New England. There is also a possibility of scattered showers and storms on the southeastern side, from Virginia through the Carolinas to Florida, as well as in the Lower Mississippi Valley. These storms may be intermittent rather than all-night affairs, so patient viewers could still catch glimpses between breaks in the clouds.

There is good news for skywatchers in the Midwest, as viewing conditions are expected to be favorable and largely cloud-free. Viewers in parts of Kansas and Nebraska, however, could have a hard time as scattered thunderstorms are expected. While Iowa and Missouri are not expected to get storms of their own, clouds from Kansas and Nebraska could drift over, causing some visibility issues. Great viewing conditions are expected throughout the West, with only isolated showers and thundershowers forecast for the Rockies and Desert Southwest. Weather conditions in most of the southern states are expected to allow skywatchers a view of the eclipse, with Oklahoma and Texas expected to have great conditions.

The Secret Weapon: A Heat Dome

A heat dome, likely to be anchored in the Southwest, could keep parts of the country clear. Heat domes bring sinking and stable air, which often hinders cloud development — and that is about the only good news a heat dome can bring. Those near the outer rim of the heat dome, however, could see more clouds, rain, and even some storms. It's a classic case of location luck playing a starring role in what should be a universal experience.

Lunar eclipses are safe to observe with the naked eye — you do not need eclipse glasses, solar filters, or any other protective equipment. For the most dramatic part of the eclipse, start watching 30–60 minutes before maximum. The August 2026 lunar eclipse is set to be the most dramatic lunar eclipse until late 2028 — making it well worth losing a little sleep over, clouds permitting.