Punxsutawney Phil Predicts 6 More Weeks of Winter

The famous groundhog saw his shadow, forecasting a longer winter season.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 7:15am

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Punxsutawney Phil, the famous weather-predicting groundhog, emerged from his burrow on Groundhog Day and saw his shadow, indicating that there will be six more weeks of winter weather according to the annual tradition. Despite the cold temperatures, thousands of people gathered in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to witness Phil's annual forecast.

Why it matters

Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day prediction is a beloved tradition that has been observed for over a century, with ties to ancient European farming customs. The event has grown in popularity since the 1993 film 'Groundhog Day' starring Bill Murray, and it serves as a lighthearted break from the doldrums of winter for many people.

The details

Shortly after dawn on Monday, Phil's handlers in the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club announced that the famous groundhog had seen his shadow, forecasting six more weeks of winter weather. The announcement was met with a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd of thousands who braved single-digit temperatures to witness the annual event. Due to the extreme cold, Phil's handlers did not allow the audience to come up on stage and take pictures with the groundhog as is typically done.

  • Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow shortly after dawn on Monday, February 2, 2026.
  • Phil's annual Groundhog Day prediction has been a tradition for over a century.

The players

Punxsutawney Phil

The famous weather-predicting groundhog whose annual Groundhog Day forecast is a beloved tradition.

Punxsutawney Groundhog Club

The organization that oversees the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and interprets Phil's 'groundhogese' to announce the weather forecast.

Paul Pastelok

AccuWeather's chief long-range weather expert, who said that some clouds and light snow moved into Punxsutawney overnight before Phil's prediction.

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What they’re saying

“Oh man, it just breaks up the doldrums of winter. It's like Halloween and New Year's Eve all wrapped up into one holiday.”

— Lisa Gibson, Punxsutawney resident

“I think it's just fun — folks having a good time. It brings people together at a challenging time. It is a unifying force that showcases the best of Pennsylvania, the best of Punxsutawney, this area.”

— Rick Siger, Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development

What’s next

The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club will continue to monitor the weather in the coming weeks to see if Phil's six-week winter prediction holds true.

The takeaway

Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day forecast remains a beloved tradition that brings people together during the long, cold winter months, providing a lighthearted break from the doldrums and a sense of community in Punxsutawney and beyond.