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Today, Saturday, January 3, 2026, the first full moon of the year will be visible in the sky above Austria. We explain why it is called the “Wolf Moon” and show exactly when it will be full.
On the third day of the year, the first full moon of 2026 will be visible in the sky above Austria. It will happen shortly after 11 a.m. Incidentally, the first full moon of the year is usually also known as the “Wolf Moon.” And it’s not the only one with a name.
What other full moons are there?
The year begins with the Wolf Moon, followed by the Snow Moon and the Worm Moon. Some of them also have other names, but these are the most common. There is also the Easter Moon, the Strawberry Moon, the Harvest Moon, and the Hay Moon. The names usually refer to special features of the season and can be traced back to animals, plants, nature itself, or colors.
Why the Wolf Moon is called what it is called
But why is it actually called the Wolf Moon? What does the wolf have in common with January? The name originates from North America, where the indigenous peoples heard wolves howling particularly frequently at this time of year. This fits in with the popular belief that wolves howl at the moon – which, of course, they do not do. The animals howl to communicate. Other, sometimes ancient names for the first full moon of the year include Hartung and Ice Moon.
- source: 5minuten.at/picture: pixabay.com
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