June’s ‘strawberry moon’ will look huge in NC this year. Here’s when to see it

June’s full moon, often referred to as the “strawberry moon,” will be visible in North Carolina tonight.

But you’ll have to stay up late to see it.

In fact, this year’s strawberry moon will sit the lowest in the sky in decades due to a phenomenon that causes the moon’s tilted orbit to be dragged around by the sun’s gravitational influence, according to EarthSky.org.

Here’s when to look up, the origins of the moon’s name, and the weather forecast.

When can you see the strawberry moon in NC?

Stargazers can look for the moon rising low in the east after sunset on June 10, according to EarthSky.org. It will reach its highest point in the sky after midnight on June 11, and it’ll lie low in the west shortly before sunrise.

Why is it called a strawberry moon?

Though the moon does appear a reddish color when it’s close to the horizon, the name “strawberry moon” has nothing to do with its color.

The name has been used by Native American tribes to mark the ripening of “June-bearing” strawberries that are ready to be gathered, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Other names for the moon include the “Blooming Moon,” which some Native American tribes used to mark the start of flowering season, and the “Birth Moon,” which refers to a certain time when animals are born in the region.

Will the weather interfere with strawberry moon?

There is a 30% chance of rain in the Charlotte area before 9 p.m. Tuesday night, with low temperatures expected in the high 60s.

Conditions should be the same in Raleigh. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. and a slight chance of showers between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.

Western North Carolina residents can expect partly cloudy skies Tuesday night with low temperatures around 58 degrees.

This story was originally published June 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM.

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.