If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen some pretty wild headlines about a "Blood Moon" or a "Supermoon eclipse" happening right now. It's frustrating because the internet has a way of recycling old news until nobody knows what’s actually happening in the sky. If you are standing in your backyard in Seattle, Spokane, or anywhere in the PNW asking what time is the lunar eclipse tonight in Washington State, I have to give it to you straight: you won’t see one tonight, January 17, 2026.
I know, it’s a bummer. But honestly, the real "big one" is just around the corner, and you definitely don't want to miss the actual date because you were looking for it in January.
The Next Total Lunar Eclipse in Washington State (Save the Date)
While tonight is just a regular Saturday night under the stars, Washington is actually in a prime position for one of the best celestial shows of the decade very soon. The total lunar eclipse everyone is whispering about is actually set for March 3, 2026.
Unlike some eclipses where we only see a "bite" taken out of the moon, this March event is a full-blown total eclipse. That means the entire moon will pass into the Earth’s dark umbral shadow, turning that eerie, coppery "blood" red. Because Washington is on the West Coast, we actually get some of the best seats in the house.
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The March 3, 2026 Timeline (Pacific Standard Time)
If you're planning a watch party or just want to set your alarm, here is exactly how the night of March 3 will play out for us in the Evergreen State:
- 12:44 AM: The penumbral eclipse begins. Honestly? You probably won't notice much here. The moon just gets a little "dimmer" or fuzzy around the edges.
- 1:50 AM: The partial eclipse starts. This is when it gets cool. You'll see a dark shadow start to creep across the lunar surface.
- 3:04 AM: Totality begins. This is the peak. The moon will be completely shaded and should glow with that famous reddish hue.
- 3:33 AM: Maximum eclipse. This is when the moon is deepest in the shadow.
- 4:02 AM: Totality ends. The red starts to fade as the moon begins its exit.
- 5:17 AM: The partial eclipse ends.
- 6:23 AM: The whole thing wraps up just as the sun is starting to think about coming up.
Why People Think There Is an Eclipse "Tonight"
It happens every year. Someone shares an old post from a previous eclipse—maybe the one from March 2025 or even way back in 2022—and it goes viral all over again.
Another reason for the confusion is the Annular Solar Eclipse happening on February 17, 2026. While that is an eclipse, it’s a solar one, and it’s mostly visible in Antarctica and parts of the Southern Hemisphere. Washington won't see a wink of that one.
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We also just came off a period of high solar activity and aurora sightings in late 2025, so everyone is a bit "sky-feverish" right now. But for the moon to go dark, we have to wait for the March 3rd alignment.
What You Need to See a Lunar Eclipse in the PNW
The most important tool for a Washingtonian isn't a telescope—it's a clear sky. We all know that March in Washington can be... well, wet.
If you’re in Western Washington (Seattle, Tacoma, Bellingham), your biggest enemy will be the cloud cover. Eastern Washington (Spokane, Yakima, the Tri-Cities) usually has a much better shot at clear views.
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Wait, do I need special glasses?
Nope. Unlike solar eclipses, where you’ll literally burn your retinas out without those cardboard filters, lunar eclipses are 100% safe to look at with your bare eyes. You’re just looking at sunlight reflecting off the Earth's atmosphere onto the moon. It’s no brighter than a regular full moon.
Looking Ahead: The Rest of 2026
If you miss the March total eclipse because of our "lovely" spring weather, you get a second chance later in the year. On August 28, 2026, there will be a partial lunar eclipse visible from Washington.
It won't be as dramatic as the March "Blood Moon" because the moon won't fully enter the darkest part of the shadow, but about 93% of it will be covered. That’s still enough to make for some great photos if the summer smoke or clouds stay away.
Your Celestial To-Do List
Since you now know that asking what time is the lunar eclipse tonight in Washington State will lead to a quiet night, use this time to prep for the real deal in March.
- Mark your calendar for March 3, 2026. Specifically, the window between 2:00 AM and 4:30 AM.
- Scope out a spot. You want a clear view of the Western sky, as the moon will be moving in 그 direction as it sets.
- Check the weather about 48 hours before. If Seattle is socked in with clouds, it might be worth a late-night drive over Snoqualmie Pass to Cle Elum or Ellensburg where the skies usually open up.
- Get a tripod. If you want those "Blood Moon" photos on your phone, you can't hold it by hand. The long exposure needed for a dark red moon will just result in a blurry orange blob otherwise.
Don't let the "fake news" sky alerts get you down. The 2026 eclipse season is going to be spectacular for us in Washington—we just have to wait for the calendar to catch up to the hype.