Residents of Southwest Washington will have a clear view of an uncommon astronomical event early next week, as a total lunar eclipse is set to take place Tuesday, according to reporting by Oregon Public Broadcasting. NASA’s published eclipse calendars show that the next total lunar eclipse after this one will not occur until late 2028.

The eclipse will unfold over several hours in the early morning of Tuesday, March 3, 2026. NASA’s eclipse forecasts indicate that totality — the period when the Earth’s shadow completely covers the Moon — will last for roughly an hour. During that window, sunlight refracted through the Earth’s atmosphere will give the Moon a reddish tone, a well‑documented optical effect visible during total lunar eclipses.

According to reporting by OPB, the event will be visible across North America, including the Pacific Northwest. Cowlitz County skywatchers in Longview, Kelso, and the surrounding communities will not need any special viewing equipment; a clear eastern and southern horizon before dawn should be sufficient. Local visibility will depend on cloud cover at the time of the event.

NASA explains that total lunar eclipses occur when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align precisely, placing the Moon entirely within Earth’s shadow. The red coloration — often called a “blood moon” — results from atmospheric filtering similar to the effect that turns sunsets red. Astronomers note that lunar eclipses move at a slower visual pace than solar eclipses, giving viewers the opportunity to step outside intermittently without missing the shift from penumbral dimming to full totality.

The eclipse comes two weeks after an annular “ring of fire” solar eclipse documented internationally. A partial lunar eclipse is expected in August, according to reporting by OPB, with visibility across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and West Asia.

Why this matters for our region

A total lunar eclipse visible from Southwest Washington is relatively infrequent, and local observers will not have another opportunity for more than two years. These types of large‑scale celestial events also provide a rare shared experience across the community — one that does not require equipment or travel and remains accessible to residents of all ages.

Skywatchers planning to view the eclipse may wish to check short‑term forecasts from the National Weather Service as Tuesday approaches. Cloud cover, not equipment, will be the determining factor for visibility across the Lower Columbia region.

Sources

Oregon Public Broadcasting: A total lunar eclipse will turn the moon blood red on Tuesday across several continents

NASA Eclipse Calendar: NASA Lunar Eclipses