Lunar Eclipse: Netherlands could see full “Super Blood Wolf Moon” on Monday

As Earth’s orbit crosses directly between the Sun and Moon on Monday morning, a total lunar eclipse should be fully visible in The Netherlands. Clear skies are predicted for most of the country from midday Sunday all the way up to about noon on Monday.

If the clouds cooperate, the full eclipse will begin at 5:41 a.m. and maximum coverage will occur at 6:12 a.m. The full eclipse will end about a half-hour later.

It is a so-called "Supermoon" because the full moon will be visible early Monday morning when the moon is at its closest approach to our planet. As the planet begins to block much of the sunlight, the moon will take on a copper-red appearance, making it a "blood moon." The term "wolf moon" is a phrase commonly used in parts of North America for the first full moon of the year, where folk tales tell of wolves howling at the January full moon.

It is a good idea to bundle up before stepping outside to enjoy the Super Blood Wolf Moon. Temperatures in the east could drop down to 7 degrees below zero, and on the North Sea coast early Monday morning temperatures are expected to be just below freezing.

Those in the west of the Netherlands will be able to fully see the total eclipse, as well as the entire period of the penumbral and partial eclipse. Total time from the 3:36 a.m. start of the penumbral stage of the eclipse until it completely ends will be about 5 hours and 15 minutes. People closer to the German border will still get to enjoy the eclipse for over five hours.

Temperatures on Friday could hover between -1 and -4 before rising to 2-3 degrees on Saturday. It will see-saw back down as far as -6 degrees, again peaking around 2 degrees on Sunday. It could get warmer after Monday's eclipse, reaching up to 4 degrees.

The weekend is expected to be mostly dry and sunny, with some frost, intermittent clouds, and low winds. Overnight cold temperatures are expected to continue into next week.