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With fireworks reduced or canceled this July 4, the first full moon of summer 2020 will light up the skies of Washington state.
A full “male moon” – named for the time of year when the male deer antlers are actively growing – will rise high on Saturday after sunset, reaching its maximum illumination at 9.45pm. If you miss it, try looking skyward on Sunday night, when the moon will shine brightly while appearing almost full.
A male moon that coincides with Independence Day is a rare event. The last time he showed his full face was 46 years ago, on July 4, 1974. After clashing this weekend, the two events will not coincide again until July 4, 2031.
This July 4, Mother Nature offers us the opportunity to contemplate the full moon in an ideal setting. Current forecast for the northwest interior calls for mostly clear skies and warm temperatures over the Independence Day weekend, with only a few scattered clouds at night.
Warm, clear evenings are a big part of the magic of July. While a full moon was absent on July 4, 2019, the sky was mostly cloudless and temperatures peaked at 79 during the day and 53 at night. Similar pleasant conditions reigned in 2018. Five years ago July 4th was clear and downright warm, which is not surprising given that the summer of 2015 was the hottest and driest on record in Spokane. and much of the northwest interior. You may remember the extreme drought conditions and massive forest fires our state has experienced this season.
As for this July 4th, we will not only enjoy pleasant weather and a full moon, but also a weak lunar eclipse.
Late at night, the full moon will pass through part of the earth’s shadow, creating a penumbral eclipse that keen-eyed night owls can notice as a shaded corner of the moon.
Massive and intricately choreographed fireworks over large crowds are largely canceled on July 4 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Fortunately for us, the spectacle of the lunar sky will continue.
