Metro Vancouverites may enjoy a clear, hot night for viewing the next full moon, provided the forecast stays the course.
The Buck Moon will be at its fullest in Vancouver on July 21 at 3:17 a.m., according to timeandate.com.
The Lower Mainland is grappling with summer's first heat wave, with daytime highs in the low 30s and overnight lows in the late teens expected through Tuesday, July 9 or Wednesday.
Temperatures are expected to drop a few degrees after Thursday and climb up again over the weekend. Environment Canada expects the second half of July will be mostly hot and dry.
Locals will enjoy ideal Metro Vancouver weather conditions for viewing the July full moon if the skies stay clear.
Why is it called a full "buck" moon?
Named after the time of year when young bucks start growing new antlers from their foreheads, the July full moon "marks a time of renewal," according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. But it has also been known by several other names, including the "Thunder Moon," due to the abundant thunderstorms during this month.
The Almanac notes that Native peoples would give distinctive names to each reoccurring full moon to mark the change of seasons. Some of the names, translated directly into English, mean the "Ripe Corn Moon” by the Cherokee, "Middle of Summer Moon" by the Ponca, and “Moon When Limbs of Trees Are Broken by Fruit” by the Zuni.
June's full moon, the Strawberry moon, appeared "bigger than ever" due to its position in the sky. This phenomenon is called a "moon illusion" where the moon "rises while still touching the horizon" and appears much larger than other objects such as buildings and trees, according to the Almanac.
While July's full moon won't appear larger than normal, locals can observe several "supermoons" - full moons that appear larger and brighter than normal - in several months, including August, September, October, and November.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
