The first full moon of 2024 will rise this evening, but will the weather permit clear skies for viewing?

The Wolf Moon, the first full moon of the new year will grace the sky tonight, Thursday 25th January 2024.

The name came about from Native Americans and medieval Europeans, as the hungry wolves howled under the cold winter nights. The sound also carried more under the clear skies.

The terms “Ice Moon” or “Old Moon” are also common in other European regions. We get a full moon 12 times in a calendar year, and on occasions 13.

The exact time of the full moon is 5.54 pm, though unfortunately the cloud may get in our way. Rain will be driving into western areas, with extensive cloud shrouding the view for most elsewhere.

Those in Ireland will have the best chance of clear skies between 6 pm and 9 pm, while there will be little cloud breaks for the rest of us.