Cloud Forecast: Where to Catch Tonight’s Orionid Meteor Peak
WHO:
The Weather Channel - Meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser wrote the forecast article; she graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.
KOCO - NASA is cited as the source for the estimate that Orionids can produce up to 20 meteors per hour on a good night; some showers have reached 60–70 meteors per hour.
WHAT:
KOCO - The Draconids were the previous meteor shower in October.
WSTM - The moon was expected to be nearly 100% full and visible nearly all night after Wednesday night, potentially making later Orionid viewing less favorable.
The Weather Channel - The Orionid meteor shower is known for bright, fast meteors traveling about 41 miles per second and leaving glowing “trains” that can last several seconds to minutes.
KOCO - The Orionids are described as October’s second annual meteor shower and a fairly dependable shower. Their meteors come from debris left by Halley’s Comet, which produces the Orionids in fall and the Eta Aquarids in May.
The Weather Channel - Clear viewing was forecast across much of the central and eastern United States. Thicker clouds could affect the Four Corners region and parts of California, Oregon, and Washington.
The Weather Channel - A nor’easter off the East Coast could bring clouds, especially from New York City to New England. Tropical moisture could bring rain, storms, and flooding concerns in parts of California, Nevada, and the Four Corners.
KOCO - Clear weather was forecast locally for the peak viewing period.
WHERE:
WSTM - Lower elevations across Central New York had peak fall foliage, while higher elevations across Upstate New York were past peak.
KOCO - The Orionids’ radiant is in the constellation Orion, near its bright star Betelgeuse; it appears near Orion’s left arm in the northeastern sky.
The Weather Channel - The Four Corners, West Coast, central and eastern United States, and East Coast regions are identified in the visibility forecast.
WHEN:
WSTM - The Orionids could still be seen over the few nights following the peak.
The Weather Channel - The shower’s peak was described as Wednesday night, Oct. 21, into early Thursday morning, Oct. 22; the best viewing hours were midnight to dawn.
KOCO - The article says the peak viewing period is the evening and early morning of Oct. 21–22. The shower may be visible from Oct. 2 to Nov. 7; best viewing is between midnight and 2 a.m. ET or after moonset, around 2:30 a.m. ET.
WHY:
KOCO - Halley’s Comet passes near Earth about every 76 years and supplies debris for two annual meteor showers.
HOW:
WSTM - Earth’s orbit intersecting small remnants of Halley’s Comet produces the Orionid meteors as the debris interacts with the atmosphere.
The Weather Channel - Viewing advice includes choosing a place away from city lights, lying flat with feet facing southeast, bringing a blanket, sleeping bag, or lawn chair, and allowing 30 minutes for eyes to adjust.
KOCO - Viewers are advised to avoid light pollution and allow about 15–20 minutes for their eyes to adjust to darkness.
(UPDATED October 22, 2026 11:09 UTC)
The Orionid meteor shower peaks overnight, offering a chance to see bright, fast streaks across the sky. The meteors travel about 41 miles per second and can leave glowing trails that linger for seconds or even minutes. They form when Earth passes through debris from Halley’s Comet, which also produces the Eta Aquarids in May. The shower is fairly dependable, with up to 20 meteors an hour possible under good conditions, though some showers have reached 60 to 70. Look toward Orion, near the bright star Betelgeuse, and watch between midnight and dawn, especially after the moon sets. Find a dark spot, lie back, and give your eyes time to adjust. Clear skies are expected across much of the central and eastern United States, but clouds may interfere in parts of the West and along the Northeast coast. The Orionids may remain visible for several nights after the peak.
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(UPDATED October 22, 2026 08:07 UTC)
The Orionid meteor shower, known for bright, fast streaks across the sky, comes from debris left behind by Halley’s Comet. The comet passes near Earth about every 76 years and also produces the Eta Aquarids in May. Orionids can travel around 41 miles per second, leaving glowing trails that may linger for seconds or even minutes. At peak, the shower can produce up to 20 meteors an hour on a good night, though some meteor showers have reached 60 to 70. The radiant appears in the northeastern sky near Betelgeuse, in the constellation Orion. For viewing, find a dark spot away from city lights, face southeast, and give your eyes time to adjust. A blanket or reclining chair can help. Clear skies were expected across much of the central and eastern United States, while clouds could hinder views in parts of the West and near the Northeast coast.