Stargazers in search of a celestial treat this weekend may be in luck as partly cloudy skies could unveil the annual pink moon on Saturday night. However, viewers might need to squint a bit to catch the sight. According to National Weather Service forecaster Samantha Borth, “It looks like (clouds) will potentially clear out on Saturday night, so there’s definitely a possibility to see it.”
April’s full moon is affectionately named the pink moon after “moss pink,” also known as creeping phlox, which is one of the earliest spring wildflowers to bloom. This delightful information comes from The Old Farmer’s Almanac. It’s important to note that while the moon this weekend won’t actually appear pink, it may look smaller than usual. This is because it is a micromoon—the opposite of a supermoon—occurring when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth, which causes it to appear slightly less large and bright than usual.
The weather leading up to the weekend starts on Friday, which is expected to be mostly sunny with temperatures reaching the mid-50s. However, some areas of Seattle might experience rain showers after 10 p.m. as temperatures drop to the low 40s, as per the National Weather Service. Luckily, forecasters predict that these showers should clear up before 11 a.m. on Saturday, giving way to sunny skies and a high temperature in the mid-50s.
As Saturday night approaches, some clouds could roll in again, but the beginning of Sunday is forecasted to start mostly sunny. Temperatures are expected to climb to the high 50s before clouds make a return, dropping temperatures back down to the mid-40s, according to the weather agency. A similar weather pattern is anticipated through Wednesday, with daytime conditions alternating between sunny or partly sunny skies and cloudy nights.
So, for those eager to witness the pink moon this weekend, keep an eye on the skies and stay updated with the latest weather forecasts. Happy stargazing!
