Punxsutawney Phil to Forecast Weather on Groundhog Day 2026

On February 2, 2026, Punxsutawney Phil, the renowned groundhog forecaster from Pennsylvania, will emerge from his burrow at Gobblers Knob to deliver his annual prediction on the arrival of spring or the continuation of winter. The event, drawing tens of thousands of attendees to the rural site about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

According to tradition, Phil's handlers from the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club will interpret his actions after he is carried to the stage from a tree stump hatch. If the groundhog sees his shadow under clear skies, it signals six more weeks of winter. A cloudy day without a shadow points to an early spring. Last year, Phil saw his shadow, aligning with his more frequent assessments of prolonged cold. Groundhogs, solitary creatures that typically emerge midwinter to mate, form the basis of this folklore, which club members describe through Phil's subtle behaviors like winks and nods.

The ceremony begins at sunrise, with festivities starting around 6 a.m. For those unable to attend in person, multiple livestream options will broadcast the event live. The Pennsylvania Tourism Office...