Cloudy Skies Obscure Chicago's View of 'Blood Moon' Lunar Eclipse

The total lunar eclipse reached totality early Tuesday morning, but cloud cover prevented most Chicagoans from seeing the rare celestial event.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A total lunar eclipse turned the moon a reddish 'blood' color early Tuesday morning, but cloud cover across the Chicago area prevented most residents from witnessing the rare celestial event. The eclipse reached totality around 5:04 a.m., with the peak of the eclipse occurring between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., according to NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alicia Roman. However, Roman noted that 'layers of clouds' across northeastern Illinois made it unlikely that the eclipse would be visible.

Why it matters

Lunar eclipses are relatively rare events, with the next total lunar eclipse visible in the Chicago area not occurring until June 2029. While cloud cover obscured the view for Chicagoans, the eclipse was visible in other parts of the U.S. like Los Angeles, providing a stunning celestial display for those in the path of totality.

The details

During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth passes between the sun and the full moon, casting a shadow that covers the moon. This causes the moon to appear reddish in color, often referred to as a 'blood moon,' due to the way sunlight refracts and bends through the Earth's atmosphere.

  • The eclipse reached totality around 5:04 a.m. on March 3, 2026.
  • The peak of the eclipse occurred between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on March 3, 2026.

The players

Alicia Roman

NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist who provided updates on the eclipse and cloud cover in the Chicago area.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's cloudy everywhere around here,”

— Alicia Roman, NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist (NBC 5 Chicago)

“We have layers of clouds out there this morning. You're probably not going to see it very well with all the clouds in place.”

— Alicia Roman, NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist (NBC 5 Chicago)

What’s next

The next partial lunar eclipse visible in the Chicago area will occur on August 27, 2026 at 11 p.m., though it will not be a total eclipse. The next total lunar eclipse that will be visible in the Chicago area is not expected to occur until June 25, 2029.

The takeaway

While lunar eclipses are relatively rare, cloud cover can often obscure the view for those in certain regions. This eclipse highlights the unpredictable nature of weather and the importance of being in the right place at the right time to witness these celestial events.