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More Moonlight in Rocky Mountains
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Rule Moonlight

Crested Butte - Moonlight - Rocky Mountains

Crested Butte, Colorado, United States

Bright moon illuminating nighttime landscapes

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in America/Denver
Next opportunity
Bright Moonlight
Crested Butte
Fri, Feb 27 · 16:00–19:00 · 3h window
Low confidence
31%
🌕Moon Illumination81.1-89.1%
☁️Total Cloud Coverage5.5-36.5%

What this forecast looks for

Plain-language explanation from the rule

This forecast tracks exceptional moonlight photography conditions in the Rocky Mountains. We combine moon phase, lunar elevation, cloud cover, and snow coverage to predict when alpine landscapes will transform under full moon illumination.

The Rockies offer moonlight photography opportunities unlike anywhere else in North America. High-altitude locations mean moonlight passes through less atmosphere, creating brilliant illumination. Fresh snow amplifies lunar light dramatically, and the region's numerous alpine lakes provide perfect reflections. Colorado's dry climate means clearer skies more often than coastal mountains.

What makes the Rocky Mountains special for moonlight photography:

  • High elevation advantage - Locations above 10,000 feet mean exceptional lunar clarity
  • Snow amplification - Colorado's legendary champagne powder reflects moonlight with exceptional brightness
  • Alpine lake mirrors - Crystal-clear mountain lakes create perfect moonlight reflections
  • Fourteener silhouettes - Dramatic peak profiles against moonlit skies

The Maroon Bells reflected in Maroon Lake under full moon creates one of North America's most spectacular moonlight compositions—snow-covered peaks glowing with lunar light mirrored in still water. Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park offers similar magic with Hallett Peak rising behind. In winter, fresh powder transforms ordinary landscapes into brilliant moonscapes—the same champagne powder prized by skiers reflects moonlight with unusual intensity. Higher elevation locations like Loveland Pass remain accessible and offer expansive views of moonlit peaks. Winter moonlight on fresh snow creates photography opportunities that rival sunrise, with the added advantage of complete solitude.

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72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 95 hours
AND logic: all conditions required
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
America/Denver
Day/Night Period
Night
Moon Altitude
≥ 15.0°
Moon Illumination
≥ 60.0%
Total Cloud Coverage
≤ 40.0%
Visibility
≥ 8000.0m
Precipitation Chance
≤ 15.0%
Sat, Feb 21
12:00✓37°18%1.4%24135m0%
13:00✓47°18%1.6%24134m0%
14:00✓57°18%1.7%24135m0%
15:00✓64°18%14%24135m0%
16:00✓66°18%1.4%24135m0%
17:00✓62°28%5%24135m0%
18:00✓53°28%5%24135m0%
19:00✓43°28%4.5%24134m0%
20:00✓32°28%5%24135m0%
21:00✓21°28%5%24134m0%
22:00✓9.8°28%5%24135m0%
23:00✓-0.76°28%5%24134m0%
Sun, Feb 22
24:00✓-11°28%5%24134m0%
01:00✓-19°28%5%24134m0%
02:00✓-26°28%3.2%24135m0%
03:00✓-31°28%2.2%24135m0%
04:00✓-33°28%5%24135m0%
05:00✓-32°28%5%24134m0%
06:00✓-28°28%5%24135m0%
07:00✓-21°28%4.5%24135m0%
08:00✓-12°28%5.1%24135m0%
09:00✓-2.8°28%80%24135m0%
10:00✓7.8°28%12%24135m0%
11:00✓19°28%15%24135m0%
12:00✓30°28%6.4%24134m0%
13:00✓41°28%5%24134m0%
14:00✓53°28%5%24135m0%
15:00✓63°28%5.1%24135m0%
16:00✓70°28%30%24135m0%
17:00✓71°38%84%24135m0%
18:00✓65°38%99%24135m0%
19:00✓56°38%100%24135m0%
20:00✓45°38%92%24135m0%
21:00✓34°38%100%24134m0%
22:00✓23°38%100%24135m0%
23:00✓12°38%100%24134m0%
Mon, Feb 23
24:00✓1.7°38%99%24135m0%
01:00✓-7.7°38%82%24134m0%
02:00✓-16°38%67%24135m0%
03:00✓-22°38%74%24134m0%
04:00✓-27°38%97%24134m0%
05:00✓-28°38%5%24135m0%
06:00✓-27°38%32%24134m0%
07:00✓-23°38%5%24135m0%
08:00✓-16°38%5%24135m0%
09:00✓-8.1°38%18%24134m0%
10:00✓1.2°38%5%24134m0%
11:00✓11°38%16%24134m0%
12:00✓22°38%99%24135m0%
13:00✓33°38%5%24135m0%
14:00✓45°38%5%24135m0%
15:00✓56°38%5%24135m0%
16:00✓66°38%7.1%24134m0%
17:00✓74°50%5.3%24135m0%
18:00✓75°50%26%24134m0%
19:00✓68°50%100%24135m0%
20:00✓58°50%73%24135m0%
21:00✓47°50%5.1%24135m0%
22:00✓35°50%6.8%24135m0%
23:00✓24°50%7.5%24135m0%
Tue, Feb 24
24:00✓14°50%98%24134m0%
01:00✓3.9°50%79%24134m0%
02:00✓-5.2°50%5%24135m0%
03:00✓-13°50%29%24135m0%
04:00✓-19°50%33%24134m0%
05:00✓-23°50%20%24135m0%
06:00✓-25°50%19%24134m0%
07:00✓-23°50%14%24135m0%
08:00✓-19°50%57%24135m0%
09:00✓-13°50%100%24134m0%
10:00✓-5.6°50%12%24135m0%
11:00✓3.5°50%6.9%24135m0%
12:00✓13°50%7%24134m0%
13:00✓24°50%5%24134m0%
14:00✓35°50%5%24134m0%
15:00✓46°50%5%24134m7.4%
16:00✓57°50%5%24134m15%
17:00✓68°61%7%24135m22%
18:00✓77°61%37%16222m28%
19:00✓78°61%66%8309m33%
20:00✓70°61%96%396m39%
21:00✓59°61%97%311m43%
22:00✓48°61%99%227m48%
23:00✓37°61%100%142m52%
Wed, Feb 25
24:00✓26°61%100%134m58%
01:00✓15°61%100%126m63%
02:00✓5.6°61%100%118m69%
03:00✓-3.4°61%100%123m74%
04:00✓-11°61%100%128m80%
05:00✓-17°61%100%134m85%
06:00✓-21°61%100%136m89%
07:00✓-23°61%100%138m93%
08:00✓-22°61%100%140m97%
09:00✓-18°61%100%184m98%
10:00✓-12°61%100%229m99%
How to read: colored cells show whether each predicate requirement is met; highlighted rows mean the full rule matched (an opportunity).

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