Groundhog Day 2026: MI's Woody The Woodchuck Makes Her Prediction

HOWELL, MI — Michigan's Woody the Woodchuck made her annual prediction Monday at the Howell Nature Center. She saw her shadow and ran back into her house at the last second, meaning six more weeks of winter.

Woody, who has predicted the forecast since 1999, has a 65 percent accuracy rate, which is higher than Punxsutawney Phil. On Monday, Punxsutawney Phil also saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter.

Officials at the Howell Nature Center give Woody 30 seconds to make her prediction. If she is outside at the 30-second mark, then spring is coming early. But if she goes back inside, then we have six more weeks of winter.

According to folklore, if a groundhog sees its shadow on Groundhog Day, there will be six more weeks of winter, but if the rotund rodent does not, spring will come early.