Updated October 21, 2026

Quick Breakdown:

• When does the Orionid meteor shower peak? Tonight, October 21, into early Thursday morning, October 22.

• What is the best time to watch? After the moon sets and before sunrise Thursday.

• How many meteors could be visible? Around 10 to 20 per hour under clear, dark skies.

• Where will viewing conditions be best? Parts of the central Plains, Midwest, Tennessee Valley, Mid-Atlantic, Carolinas and Texas have some of the best odds for clear skies.

• Where could clouds block the view? Parts of the Southwest, Southern California, South Florida and New England may have less favorable conditions.

• How can you improve your chances? Get away from city lights, find an open view of the sky and give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust.

You don’t have to wait for Halley’s Comet to return to see something it left behind.

The Orionid meteor shower peaks tonight, Wednesday, October 21, into early Thursday morning. While a bright moon could hide some of the fainter meteors, waiting until the hours before dawn may give you a darker sky and a better chance of seeing the show.

The other big question is whether the weather will cooperate.

Where Will the Weather Be Best Tonight?

As of Wednesday afternoon, some of the best viewing weather appears to stretch from the central Plains through portions of the Midwest, Tennessee Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas.

Areas around Kansas City, Omaha, Minneapolis, Nashville, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., and New York City are generally expecting clear or partly cloudy conditions overnight. That does not guarantee a completely cloud-free sky, but many viewers in these regions should have a reasonable opportunity to spot meteors.

Texas also stands out. Clear skies are expected around Dallas, while the National Weather Service says Southeast Texas should have good visibility during the peak viewing period. Portions of Louisiana may also get a decent view, although a stray shower or patch of clouds cannot be ruled out closer to the Gulf Coast.

Parts of the Pacific Northwest, including areas around Portland and Seattle, may also have viewing opportunities where skies remain clear.

Where Could Clouds Get in the Way?

The Southwest may have one of the toughest viewing setups tonight.

Clouds, showers and thunderstorms could obscure the sky across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Southern California. Even if rain is not falling at your location, nearby storms and thicker cloud cover may make meteors difficult or impossible to see.

Conditions also look less certain across South Florida and portions of New England, where clouds may become more widespread. Mountain weather can vary over short distances, so conditions in the Rockies could depend heavily on your elevation and exact location.

This is a national snapshot, not a neighborhood-level guarantee. Check your hourly cloud forecast before making the drive to a darker location.

Before heading out, check the latest hourly weather conditions in the WeatherBug app. A break in the clouds at the right time could make all the difference.

What Is the Best Time to Watch the Orionids?

The hours after midnight are generally best, but the strongest viewing window tonight should arrive before dawn Thursday.

The moon will be about 74% illuminated and bright enough to hide many of the shower’s fainter meteors. NASA recommends watching after the moon sets, when the sky will be darker.

Your exact moonset and sunrise times depend on where you live. In many locations, that could leave a relatively short window during the early morning hours. Set an alarm, check the clouds and be ready to head outside when the sky is darkest.

How Many Meteors Could You See?

The American Meteor Society says the Orionids typically produce around 10 to 20 meteors per hour near their peak under favorable conditions.

That number assumes a dark sky, clear weather and a wide view of the horizon. Moonlight, city lights, clouds and trees can all lower the number you actually see.

Think patient skywatching, not a nonstop light show. You may wait several minutes between meteors and then catch two or three in quick succession.

Where Should You Look?

Orionid meteors appear to trace back toward the constellation Orion, but you do not need to stare directly at it. Meteors can streak across a wide portion of the sky.

Find a dark, safe place with an open view. A reclining chair or blanket will make looking up much more comfortable. Give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust, dim your phone screen and avoid looking at bright lights.

Leave the telescope indoors. Your eyes provide the wide view you need.

What Causes the Orionids?

The Orionids form when Earth passes through dust left behind by Halley’s Comet. Those small particles enter our atmosphere at high speed and create the bright streaks we see as meteors.

Halley’s Comet itself is not returning tonight. We are simply crossing material it left along its orbit.

If clouds ruin the peak where you live, the shower does not disappear immediately. Orionid activity continues beyond tonight, although the number of visible meteors will gradually decrease.

Sources: American Meteor Society, NASA’s October 2026 skywatching guide, NASA’s Orionid guide and the National Weather Service.