Chicagoans Unlikely to See Rare Total Lunar Eclipse This Week

Cloudy skies and rain expected to obscure the celestial event.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A total lunar eclipse will occur early Tuesday morning, casting the moon's surface in a dark red hue that will be visible across much of the United States. However, residents in the Chicago area are unlikely to get a glimpse of the rare celestial event due to expected cloud cover and rain.

Why it matters

Lunar eclipses are relatively rare, with the next total eclipse visible from Chicago not occurring for another three years. This event would have provided a unique opportunity for stargazers in the region to witness the moon's surface take on a dramatic red appearance.

The details

The partial eclipse will begin at 3:50 a.m. on Tuesday, with totality - when the moon is fully in Earth's shadow - starting at 5:04 a.m. and peaking at 5:33 a.m. Totality will end at 6:02 a.m., but the partial eclipse will continue past sunrise, when it will no longer be visible in the Chicago area.

  • The partial eclipse will begin at 3:50 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
  • Totality will start at 5:04 a.m. and peak at 5:33 a.m.
  • Totality will end at 6:02 a.m.

The players

NBC 5 Storm Team

The meteorology team at NBC's Chicago affiliate that provided the forecast and eclipse details.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately, it doesn't appear likely that area residents will be able to see the big show on Tuesday morning.”

— NBC 5 Storm Team (nbcchicago.com)

What’s next

The next partial lunar eclipse visible in the Chicago area will occur on August 27 at 11 p.m., but it won't be a total eclipse. The next total lunar eclipse that will be seen in Chicago is not expected until June 25, 2029.

The takeaway

While stargazers across much of the country will have the opportunity to witness this rare celestial event, cloud cover and rain in the Chicago area are expected to prevent residents from seeing the dramatic red hue of the total lunar eclipse this week.