A total lunar eclipse is set to take place this week, casting a dramatic reddish-orange hue over the full March moon as it lights up the night sky. But will skywatchers in New Jersey get a clear view of this celestial event in 2025?
Unfortunately, the weather might not cooperate. Forecasts from AccuWeather and the National Weather Service suggest that much of the Garden State will experience mostly cloudy skies and patches of fog during the eclipse’s peak. Similar conditions are expected in nearby cities like New York and Philadelphia.
The lunar show will kick off with a partial eclipse at 11:57 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 13. The most striking phase — when the moon takes on its signature blood-red color — will happen between 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. on Friday, March 14, before wrapping up around 6 a.m.
New Jersey’s 2025 Eclipse Forecast:
Here’s the latest prediction from the National Weather Service for the early hours of Friday between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.:
- Newark: Cloud cover is about 67 percent.
- Trenton: Skies are expected to be covered by 64 percent.
- Philadelphia: Cloud cover of about 58 percent.
- Atlantic City: Heavier cloud cover, around 76 percent.
- New York City: 68 percent cloud cover.
What Is a Lunar Eclipse?
A lunar eclipse happens when the sun, Earth, and moon align so that the moon moves into Earth’s shadow. During a total lunar eclipse — like the one scheduled for this week — the moon is entirely enveloped by the darkest part of Earth’s shadow. As this occurs, the moon takes on a striking red-orange glow. According to NASA, this reddish hue appears because the sunlight that manages to pass through Earth’s atmosphere gets filtered and bent, casting a warm tint onto the moon’s surface.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.