CINCINNATI — Mark your calendars! This Friday, March 14, the Cincinnati metro and Tri-State area will experience its first total lunar eclipse since November 8, 2022. The next opportunity won’t occur until March of 2026.
This is happening Thursday night into Friday morning (not Friday night into Saturday).
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that completely covers the Moon. This process can cause the Moon to take on a reddish hue, commonly referred to as a “blood moon.”
The Earth’s atmosphere scatters sunlight. That means that during a total lunar eclipse, some light bends around the Earth and reaches the Moon, giving it a reddish tint, hence "blood moon."
Timing:
- Partial Eclipse Begins: 1:09 AM ET Friday
- Total Eclipse Begins: 2:26 AM ET Friday
- Maximum Eclipse: 2:58 AM ET Friday
- Total Eclipse Ends: 3:31 AM ET Friday
- Partial Eclipse Ends: 4:47 AM ET Friday
This Friday is the #LunarEclipse! Right now, skies look to be mostly clear for the event here in the Cincinnati area. Here is a look at the timing you can expect everything to begin#WCPO #CincyWX pic.twitter.com/13cLN5xA37
— Brandon Spinner WCPO (@wxSpinner89) March 11, 2025
Forecast:
Currently, the forecast predicts mostly clear skies and mild temperatures during the eclipse hours. This means ideal conditions for the eclipse. Temperatures will likely be in the low to mid-50s as the eclipse peaks. This is pretty much ideal.
Viewing Tips:
Unlike last year's Total Solar Eclipse you will not need protective eyewear to view this. Try to choose a spot away from city lights with an unobstructed view of the south-southwestern horizon: That is the direction that this will take place in the sky.
While it should be viewable to the naked eye, you may also want to use binoculars or a telescope for a closer look.
Don’t forget to share your pictures with us. You can send them to newsdesk@wcpo.com or tag me on Twitter! Happy Eclipse Viewing! 🌕
Here's more of a breakdown of what to look for:
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy
