Arizona residents can look forward to one of the most striking sky events of the year. On Thursday, December 4, 2025, the Cold Moon Supermoon will rise over red rock canyons, saguaro forests, and desert plains — and a new national study from Action Network ranks Arizona #2 in the U.S. for seeing it clearly.
This Cold Moon is also the final supermoon of 2025, completing a rare three-supermoon sequence to close out the year.
According to the Supermoon Visibility Index — which analyzed sky clarity, humidity, elevation, and darkness across all 50 states — Arizona follows just behind New Mexico in its likelihood of offering an unobstructed view.
“Arizona’s desert atmosphere gives the Cold Moon incredible clarity,” said an Action Network researcher. “With dry air, big horizons, and vast dark-sky regions, the moonrise here feels especially vivid — and the odds of seeing it clearly are among the very best in the country.”
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The Story Behind the Cold Moon
The December full Moon is traditionally known as the Cold Moon, marking the arrival of winter and the longest nights of the year. Many Indigenous names for this Moon reflect frost, snow, stillness, and early-season darkness.
Why This One Is a Supermoon
This December, the Cold Moon reaches its full phase while the Moon is at one of its closest points to Earth — making it a supermoon. It will appear slightly larger and brighter, especially low on the horizon at moonrise.
It also follows November’s unusually small new Moon, creating a dramatic visual contrast.
And this Cold Moon will be one of the highest-rising full Moons in northern skies until 2042, increasing its visibility and brightness.
Why Arizona Ranks #2
Arizona’s natural environment consistently delivers some of the clearest winter skies in the country, giving it one of the strongest chances nationwide for a sharp, unobstructed view:
- Dry desert air that reduces haze
- Frequent clear nights in early winter
- Low humidity that sharpens detail
- Extensive dark-sky zones protected from light pollution
These conditions make the Moon appear crisp, bright, and beautifully defined as it rises — and give Arizona top-tier odds for skywatchers hoping for perfect viewing.
Best Places in Arizona to Watch the Cold Moon
The supermoon will pair especially well with some of Arizona’s most iconic landscapes:
- Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon — red rock silhouettes under the rising Moon
- Flagstaff Dark Sky Region — high elevation and minimal light pollution
- Saguaro National Park — iconic saguaro foregrounds
- The Superstition Mountains — wide, dramatic desert horizons
- Outskirts of Phoenix or Tucson — dark skies just beyond city glow
When & How to Watch
- Peak illumination: ~5:14 p.m. MST on December 4
- Best viewing: Around moonrise, when the Moon appears largest and most colorful
- Tips: Choose an open horizon, avoid direct city lights, steady your camera on a tripod or stable surface
Top 5 States for Viewing the Cold Moon (2025)
- New Mexico
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Nevada
- Wyoming
