Partial Lunar Eclipse Tonight for Oregon, Washington, Coast: Interesting Colorations

Updated 08/27/2026 at 6:05 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) - UPDATE: ALSO POSSIBILITIES OF AURORA IN WASHINGTON TONIGHT AND TOMORROW See our FB ----- Are you ready for tonight's partial lunar eclipse in Oregon and Washington? (Oregon Coast Beach Connection photo)

Even the coastlines will get to see some of this and you may get quite an array of unusual colors because of a couple of elements coming together.

It's the August Sturgeon Moon that's coupled with a partial lunar eclipse tonight, starting roughly about 8 p.m. You may not see much until closer to 9 p.m.

Astronomy News, Updates from Oregon Coast, Washington Coast

According to Jim Todd of Portland's OMSI, we'll see what Todd describes as an exceptionally deep partial lunar eclipse. About 93 percent of the moon will slip into Earth’s umbral shadow. Because Portland and Oregon are on the West Coast, Todd says the moon will rise with the eclipse already underway, appearing unusually dim while it sits low on the horizon during its deepest phase.

“It will already be deep in Earth's shadow, making it highly obscured and tough to see right away,” Todd told Oregon Coast Beach Connection.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection photo

This won't be a blackout moon situation, though we'll get to see plenty of orange. And since this region – including Oregon and Washington coast areas – is on the outer edges of the eclipse effect, it normally wouldn't get that deep red or orange.

However, because of wildfire smoke in the east, areas like Newport, Westport, Portland or Eugene could see some extra-interesting colors.

It's important to remember you may not even see it low on the horizon, and it rises only 12 degrees above the horizon. For parts of the coastlines, that could mean you'll be blocked some by Coast Range mountains.

Areas around the coast or even Seattle, Spokane or Madras will get similar times. However, these are the timelines for Portland:

Pacific Northwest Weather | Oregon, Washington, Coastline (see NW from space) |---| Washington Coast Weather |---| Oregon Coast Weather |---| Inland Oregon Weather

7:49 p.m. PDT (Moonrise): The moon rises in the east-southeast. Todd said it will already be deep in Earth's shadow, making it highly obscured and tough to see right away.

9:12 p.m. PDT (Maximum Eclipse): The eclipse reaches its peak. The moon will climb to about 12 degrees above the horizon, with 93% of its surface covered by Earth's dark umbral shadow.

10:00 p.m. PDT (Clearing Phase): The moon will begin noticeably brightening and returning to normal as it leaves the central shadow.

12:01 a.m. PDT (Eclipse Ends): The moon completely leaves the shadow, ending the event.

Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

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