Why February's Full Moon Has a Frosty Connection

Something magical happens when February's full moon illuminates a snow-covered landscape. The way moonlight dances off fresh powder makes even the coldest winter night feel enchanted. But have you ever wondered why February's full moon earned the nickname "Snow Moon"? The connection runs deeper than you might think (1).

Ancient Wisdom in Native Names

Native American tribes, specifically the Algonquin people, referred to this moon as the Snow Moon for a very practical reason: February generally sees the month's heaviest snowfalls in their territories. Some northern tribes also refer to it as the Hunger Moon since the weather can often be so bad during this period that hunting becomes very difficult (1,2).

Modern Weather Patterns Affirm Ancient Knowledge

Looking at weather data, February remains one of the snowiest months for much of North America. And that is no coincidence - the reason being, by February, winter has had months to cool down the ground and atmosphere, thereby setting up ideal conditions for snow. So, when moisture-laden systems move through, they're more likely to produce snow than rain (3).