Groundhog Day 2026: Punxsutawney Phil Makes Annual Forecast

PUNXSUTAWNEY PA —Punxsutawney Phil has made his annual winter prediction, and it isn't good.

Early Monday morning in this tiny Pennsylvania hamlet, the nation's most famous weather forecasting rodent saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of this infuriatingly long winter.

Each year, Phil makes his prediction on Feb. 2 before tens of thousands of revelers at Gobbler's Knob, about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. This was the 140th time that Phil attempted to show meteorological mettle.

The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club credits The Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper with printing the first observance in 1886; the first trip to Gobbler's Knob occurred the following year.

Various incarnations of Phil have predicted 108 years of more winter and 21 early springs. There are nine years without any records. In 2025, Phil predicted six more weeks of winter.

The groundhog club's inner circle, consisting of about 15 active members, manages and hosts Groundhog Day festivities that culminate at around 7:20 a.m. on February 2. Donned in tuxedos and top hats, they lift Phil up before cheering crowds of thousands awaiting his forecast.