A rare partial lunar eclipse will turn the Moon red in UK skies on Friday, with 93% of the Moon expected to be in Earth’s shadow at its peak. According to BBC, the event will occur in the early hours of Friday as the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, causing the full Moon—known as the Sturgeon Moon,to glow an eerie red.

When and Where to Watch the Eclipse

The eclipse will begin at around 02:23 BST as the Moon moves into the penumbra, the faint outer part of the Earth’s shadow, and the main partial phase will begin at 03:33 as the Moon enters the umbra, the darkest part of the shadow. The eclipse will reach its peak at 05:12, with 93% of the Moon within the umbra. According to BBC, the partial eclipse will end at 06:51, but this will not be visible in the UK because the Moon will have already set below the horizon.

Moonset times will vary across the UK: for instance, 06:00 in Lerwick, 06:15 in London, and 06:42 in Enniskillen. According to BBC, the Moon will be very low in the south-western sky, and the best viewing chances are likely in the south and east of England, and possibly parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland.

Weather Conditions and Visibility

Cloud cover and rain may obscure the view for some, making visibility uncertain in certain regions. According to BBC, the phenomenon known as the Moon illusion may make the Moon appear larger and more dramatic than usual, particularly when it is low on the horizon. This eclipse comes just weeks after the UK experienced its most dramatic partial solar eclipse in nearly 30 years.

Separately, the UK is experiencing the warmest spring on record for England and Wales; According to BBC, nine of the 10 warmest springs in England have occurred since 2007, highlighting an ongoing shift in the UK’s climate. The spring of 2026 ranks as the third warmest and fourth sunniest in the UK. However, the dry conditions in southern and eastern England raise concerns about potential droughts, particularly in areas like Kent and Cambridgeshire, where rainfall was around a third of the expected amount.

Contrasting Weather in Japan

In contrast to the UK’s warm spring, Japan is experiencing heavy snowfall, with up to 70cm of snow expected in 24 hours in parts of Niigata prefecture. According to BBC, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy snow advisory as a cold front set in, causing chaos in Yuzawa, and some areas have already received over three metres of snow this winter, and the peak of the winter weather is expected on Wednesday. Temperatures are predicted to rise early next week, and snow showers will be restricted to more northern areas.