Groundhog Day 2026: Will the Furry Forecaster See Its Shadow?

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Groundhog Day is just around the corner, bringing the annual question many Kentuckians are eager to have answered - will the famous Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow, signaling six more weeks of winter, or will an early spring be on the way? AccuWeather's senior meteorologist is predicting that Phil and other regional groundhogs will likely see their shadows this year, based on historical trends and the upcoming weather pattern.

Why it matters

Groundhog Day is a beloved tradition that captures the public's imagination each year, with many eagerly awaiting the furry forecaster's prediction. The outcome has implications for when spring weather will arrive, which is of keen interest to those ready to leave winter behind.

The details

Groundhog Day is observed annually on February 2 in the U.S. and Canada. The tradition is centered around Punxsutawney Phil, a famous groundhog in Pennsylvania who is known as the "Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather-Prophet Extraordinary." If Phil sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, it is said to indicate six more weeks of winter weather. AccuWeather's senior meteorologist Chad Merrill is predicting that Phil and other regional groundhogs will see their shadows this year, based on historical trends that show Phil sees his shadow 84% of the time.

• Groundhog Day is observed on February 2 each year.
• In 2026, Groundhog Day falls on a Monday.

What they’re saying

What’s next

To see the livestream of Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day 2026 prediction, visit the Visit Pennsylvania website at visitpa.com/live-stream-phils-prediction.