February marks a subtle but significant shift in winter as days grow longer and sunlight increases across the Northern Hemisphere. Following the December solstice, Earth’s tilt toward the sun becomes more apparent, and by February, the gain in daylight is noticeable. Northern cities see the most dramatic changes: New York City gains over an hour of daylight by February 28, while Miami adds just 37 minutes due to its proximity to the equator. Longer days bring earlier sunrises, later sunsets, and shorter nights, signaling the slow march toward spring even as winter’s cold and snowstorms persist. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/the-february-shift-that-makes-winter-feel-different/1857670

The upcoming week features mild temperatures and light, variable winds. Sunday brings cloudy skies with scattered showers, highs near 60°F, and a 40–50% chance of rain continuing into the night. Monday sees intervals of sun and clouds with highs around 62°F, followed by mostly clear skies at night. Tuesday through Saturday is predominantly partly cloudy to mostly sunny, with daytime highs ranging from 63–65°F and nighttime lows around 42–45°F. Rain chances are low after Sunday, and the weather remains stable with generally fair nights and light winds throughout the week. https://www.kcra.com/weather

This week’s sky features a bright gibbous Moon moving past Jupiter, Pollux, and Castor, becoming full on February 1. Highlights include the Moon occulting Regulus on February 2, with visible disappearance and reappearance times varying across North America. Watch Jupiter in Gemini with its moons, Io and Ganymede, showing transits and eclipses, while Saturn glows low in the west. The Winter Hexagon dominates the evening sky, with Sirius, Capella, and Betelgeuse prominent. Uranus and Neptune are telescopic targets. The week also marks the mid-point of winter, historically celebrated as Imbolc and now recognized on Groundhog Day. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-january-30-february-8/

The upcoming week will feature mostly light winds and a mix of clouds, sun, and occasional showers. Sunday starts with considerable clouds, clearing somewhat in the afternoon, with highs near 56°F and lows around 39°F. Monday and Tuesday bring a combination of sunshine and clouds, with similar temperatures and calm conditions. Rain chances increase to 40% Tuesday night and continue into Wednesday and Wednesday night before tapering off. Thursday will be partly cloudy, with highs reaching 63°F. Friday and Saturday feature sporadic showers and lingering clouds, with highs in the lower 60s and lows in the mid-40s. https://www.kcra.com/weather

A powerful winter storm is forecast to impact over 150 million people across the South, Plains, and Northeast this weekend, bringing heavy snow, ice, and frigid temperatures. More than two dozen states from Texas to Maine could face treacherous travel, widespread power outages, and prolonged cold. Some areas may receive 6–12 inches of snow, with mountain regions reaching up to 30 inches. Ice accumulation could down trees and power lines, leaving residents without heat for days. Flight cancellations are expected to exceed 4,000, and freezing conditions may persist, complicating cleanup and increasing the risk of frostbite and property damage. https://www.accuweather.com/en/winter-weather/major-snow-ice-storm-to-affect-more-than-150-million-people-in-southern-eastern-us/1854647

This week’s sky offers a shifting dance of the Moon, planets, and winter constellations. Early evenings feature the Moon near Saturn on January 23, moving through Aries, the Pleiades, and Taurus over the week before reaching full on February 1 near Leo’s Sickle. Orion dominates the southeast, with the Winter Triangle and Andromeda-Pegasus complex visible. Jupiter shines brilliantly in Gemini near Pollux and Castor, best viewed around 10–11 p.m., while Saturn sets by 9 p.m. Uranus and Neptune require telescopes to spot. Mercury, Venus, and Mars remain hidden in the Sun’s glare. Clear skies reward observers with dynamic celestial highlights. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-january-23-february-1/

The upcoming week features mostly calm weather with light and variable winds. Sunday will start with some morning clouds, clearing to sunny skies, with a high of 56°F, and a clear night near 41°F. Monday and Tuesday bring partly cloudy conditions with highs in the upper 50s and lows around 40°F. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers late at night (40%), and temperatures similar to earlier in the week. Thursday through Saturday sees a mix of partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies, highs in the upper 50s, and lows in the low 40s. https://www.kcra.com/weather

From January 16–25, the night sky offers a rich array of celestial sights. Capella and Rigel cross the meridian together, and Sirius aligns under Betelgeuse in the southeast. Orion dominates the evening sky, with its tiny head triangle highlighted in binoculars. The crescent Moon descends past Saturn, while the Pleiades cluster shines overhead. Jupiter, just past opposition, remains bright near Delta Geminorum, with its moons casting visible shadows. Saturn glows in the southwest, Uranus is high near the Pleiades, and Neptune lingers by Saturn. Mercury, Venus, and Mars remain hidden in solar glare. Observers can enjoy the evolution of lunar features and winter constellations nightly. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-january-16-25/

NASA is preparing for the February launch of Artemis II, the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years. The 322-foot Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are being rolled to Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center after final integration. The mission, targeting no earlier than February 6, will carry NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. They will orbit the moon for about 10 days before returning to Earth. A wet dress rehearsal will precede the launch, with subsequent windows in March and April if needed. Crew safety remains NASA’s top priority. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/nasa-prepares-to-roll-out-mega-artemis-ii-rocket-ahead-of-astronaut-moon-mission/1852808

January brings a subtle yet significant increase in daylight across the United States, even as winter remains in full swing. Following the winter solstice on Dec. 21, days begin lengthening gradually, with only seconds of change at first. By the end of January, southern cities like Orlando gain about 28 minutes of daylight, while northern locations such as Seattle experience over an hour more. This increase signals the slow approach of spring, though the sun’s low angle still provides limited warmth. Longer days will continue building toward warmer weather as the sun climbs higher in the months ahead. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/january-quietly-brings-a-big-change-to-daylight-across-the-us/1850342