Punxsutawney Phil Predicts 6 More Weeks of Winter at 2026 Groundhog Day Celebration/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow in Pennsylvania, forecasting six more weeks of winter. Thousands braved subzero temperatures to witness the century-old Groundhog Day tradition. While Phil predicted a longer winter, other animals across North America offered mixed forecasts.
Quick Look
- Event: Groundhog Day, February 2, 2026
- Forecast: Phil saw his shadow → six more weeks of winter
- Location: Gobbler’s Knob, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
- Crowd: Tens of thousands in attendance, despite single-digit temperatures
- Tradition age: Over 100 years, gained pop culture fame via Groundhog Day (1993)
- Other predictions: Split verdict—some groundhogs and even a fish predicted early spring
- Fan experience: No post-prediction photo ops due to extreme cold
- Cultural tie-ins: Linked to European farming traditions, Candlemas, and Celtic calendar
Deep Look: Punxsutawney Phil Predicts 6 More Weeks of Winter at 2026 Groundhog Day Celebration
On a frigid Monday morning, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob and, according to his top-hatted handlers, saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. It’s a forecast that aligns with Phil’s historical trend of favoring longer winters — and one that drew mixed reactions from the large, bundled-up crowd braving the subzero chill.
The announcement, rooted in a tradition over a century old, has become an annual spectacle that draws visitors from across the country. With temperatures in the single digits Fahrenheit, this year’s event tested fan endurance. While typically attendees can take photos with Phil, this time, organizers cited the cold and opted for a safer selfie-from-a-distance experience.
The tradition, made famous globally by the 1993 film Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, is based on folklore: if the groundhog sees its shadow, winter continues for six more weeks; if not, spring comes early.
Phil’s prediction wasn’t alone, but neither was it unanimous. Groundhogs General Beauregard Lee (Georgia) and Dover Doug (Pennsylvania), along with Alabama’s opossum Birmingham Jill, joined Phil in calling for a longer winter. On the other hand, Buckeye Chuck (Ohio), Shubenacadie Sam (Nova Scotia), and even a bass named Benny in Ohio forecasted an early spring.
Lisa Gibson, attending her 10th Groundhog Day celebration, described the event as a much-needed lift in winter’s depths: “It’s like Halloween and New Year’s Eve all wrapped into one holiday.” She and her family dressed festively, with her husband even donning an Elvis costume.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development Rick Siger noted the 4°F reading on his car thermometer but called the tradition a “unifying force” and “a showcase of the best of Pennsylvania.”
Meteorologists, meanwhile, weighed in with their own observations. Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather’s long-range weather expert, described early morning “microflakes” and predicted below-average temperatures in the eastern U.S. for the coming week — aligning with Phil’s wintry forecast.
Groundhog Day sits at the halfway mark between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, giving it spiritual significance in both Christian (Candlemas) and Celtic calendars.
Phil’s handlers insist the famed rodent communicates in “groundhogese” — a language of subtle gestures that only they can interpret. While his accuracy is often debated, for the crowd in Punxsutawney and viewers worldwide, Phil remains a beloved symbol of seasonal hope (or dread).
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