Strawberry Moon peaks 30 June — southern UK sees
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- Strawberry Moon reaches its peak in the early hours of Tuesday 30 June, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, and will appear full on Monday 29 June and the following evening.
- June's full Moon is the lowest-hanging on the horizon of any full Moon in the northern hemisphere's year, producing the 'Moon illusion' that makes it appear larger than when it sits higher in the sky.
- The nickname traces back to indigenous Americans, who used it as a seasonal marker for the wild strawberry harvest, per the Old Farmer's Almanac — the Moon itself will not appear pink or red despite the name.
- Low pressure arriving from the Atlantic will push thicker cloud and outbreaks of rain across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England overnight Monday, while the Midlands, Wales and southern England have the best chances for clear skies.
- Two more full Moons remain in meteorological summer if this one is missed: the Buck Moon on 29 July and the Sturgeon Moon on 28 August, both named for seasonal markers used by indigenous Americans.
Why it matters: Skywatchers north of the Midlands will likely see cloud cover on Monday night, leaving the Midlands, Wales and southern England with the clearest views — an uneven viewing window across the UK for the year's lowest-hanging full Moon and the first of summer.
