Last meteor shower of 2025 peaks soon in Washington. Will we see it?

The last meteor shower of the year will soon sparkle across the West.

The Ursid meteor shower is set to peak on one of the longest nights of the year.

While not quite as spectacular as the Geminids or Perseids, the Ursids are “still worth scouting,” National Geographic said, “especially under this year’s dim, nearly new crescent moon.”

Will shooting stars be visible in the night sky over Washington state?

Here’s what to know.

When will Ursid meteor shower peak in 2025?

The final meteor shower of 2025 peaks overnight from Sunday, Dec. 21, into Monday, Dec. 22, according to National Geographic.

During the shower, skywatchers may observe up to 10 shooting stars per hour under dark, clear skies and a dim crescent moon, National Geographic said.

The majority of meteor activity will take place in the hours right before dawn, but shimmering streaks could appear at any time of night, the publication said.

It’s also possible the shower could be more prolific than in years past, according to EarthSky.

“In rare instances, bursts of 100 or more meteors per hour have been observed,” the astronomy website said.

Where do Ursids come from?

The Ursid meteor shower gets its name from the Ursa Minor constellation, according to Time and Date.

The meteors — caused by debris from the comet 8P/Tuttle — often appear to radiate from the direction of the constellation, Time and Date said.

What’s the best way to see a meteor shower?

Under normal circumstances, stargazers don’t need any special equipment to witness meteor shower, Time and Date said.

All you need is to escape city lights and find a secluded spot under a clear sky.

Will Ursid meteor shower be visible in Washington state?

Unfortunately, it’s unlikely the Ursid meteor shower will be visible in most parts of Washington state.

Rain is forecast across much of the Evergreen State, with showers predicted in Bellingham, Olympia, Tacoma and other cities on Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

With ongoing flooding in Western Washington, people should stay safe and away from water, state officials said.

Western Washington residents brave enough to seek out the meteor shower amid rain showers might be out of luck anyway, as clouds could block out the phenomenon completely.

Stargazers in Central and Eastern Washington are likely out of luck as well.

According to staff at the National Weather Service’s Pendleton station, a low-pressure system dropping from the Gulf of Alaska into the Pacific Northwest will keep Eastern Washington wet and overcast through the weekend and into next week.

“Mostly cloudy” skies were forecast for much of Eastern Washington overnight on Sunday and Monday, according to the Weather Service’s Spokane station.

Skywatchers will have to hope for a break in the cloud coverage in order to see the Ursids.