Overview
- The annual maximum falls on the night of November 17–18, with forecasts around 10 to 15 meteors per hour under standardized ZHR conditions.
- Astronomers do not expect a meteor storm this year, as strong Leonid outbursts are typically tied to fresh debris from comet 55P/Tempel‑Tuttle.
- Viewing is best after midnight toward the eastern sky as the radiant in Leo climbs higher, with Leonid meteors streaking at roughly 71–72 km/s.
- Moonlight should be minimal this year, but cloud cover and urban light pollution will significantly reduce real‑world counts for many observers.
- The German Weather Service expects heavy clouds in northwest Germany, with clearer spells early in the night farther east before clouds increase again; stronger displays are possible when Tempel‑Tuttle returns around 2031–2032.