Groundhog Day 2026 results: Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, calls for more winter

Punxsutawney Phil made his 2026 forecast early Monday in western Pennsylvania, and the verdict landed the way winter-weary viewers least want to hear it: he saw his shadow, which in Groundhog Day tradition means six more weeks of winter. The announcement came during the dawn ceremony at Gobbler’s Knob outside Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with bundled-up crowds cheering and booing in the cold.

The moment people wait for each year happened around 7:25 a.m. ET on February 2, 2026, when Phil was presented and the prediction was read out.

Did the groundhog see his shadow 2026?

Yes. If you’re searching “did the groundhog see his shadow 2026,” “did Phil see his shadow 2026,” or “did Punxsutawney Phil see shadow 2026,” the answer is the same:

• Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow.

• Prediction: six more weeks of winter (by tradition).

That also answers “what did the groundhog say today?” In the ceremony’s language, the “message” was simply that winter isn’t done yet.

What does it mean if the groundhog sees his shadow?

Groundhog Day runs on a two-outcome folklore rule:

• Shadow seen: the groundhog “retreats,” signaling six more weeks of winter.

• No shadow: an early spring is predicted.

The shadow itself isn’t measured like a scientific observation; it’s a symbolic call tied to the event’s theater and tradition.

What time does the groundhog come out?

People ask this every year because the headline moment happens fast and early. In Punxsutawney, the day follows a familiar pattern (times are approximate and can shift a little with program pacing):

• Pre-dawn festivities: often start well before sunrise

• Phil’s appearance: typically around 7:15–7:30 a.m. ET

• The shadow call: made immediately after Phil is brought out

So for “what time does Punxsutawney Phil come out” or “what time does the groundhog see his shadow,” the practical answer is: shortly after sunrise, in the 7:15–7:30 a.m. ET window.

Groundhog Day 2026: results beyond Punxsutawney

Punxsutawney Phil is the best-known forecaster, but he isn’t the only one. Several other well-followed animals made calls on Monday morning, and the results were mixed across regions.

If you’re checking “Staten Island Chuck 2026” or “Buckeye Chuck” specifically, the split is the story: Chuck in New York matched Phil, while Ohio’s Buckeye Chuck broke the pattern with an early-spring call.

How does Groundhog Day work?

At its core, Groundhog Day is a mid-winter ritual that blends folklore, local pride, and a simple “yes/no” outcome. The basic elements are:

• The date is always February 2.

• A groundhog is presented (or emerges) in the morning.

• The presence or absence of a “shadow” becomes the forecast.

• In Punxsutawney, organizers treat Phil’s behavior as a message that gets “translated” and announced to the crowd.

The tradition is often tied to old seasonal lore around early February—roughly the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox—when people historically watched for signs of how long winter might linger.

How old is Punxsutawney Phil?

If you’re asking “how old is Punxsutawney Phil” or “how old is Phil the groundhog,” there are two answers—one folklore, one reality.

• Folklore: the Punxsutawney tradition claims there has been one Phil making predictions since the late 1800s, kept going by a special “elixir of life.”

• Reality: wild groundhogs don’t live anywhere near that long, and the “one Phil” idea is part of the event’s playful mythology.

Where does he live? Phil resides in the Punxsutawney area year-round under the care of the local club that runs the ceremony.

Is Groundhog Day a federal holiday, and how accurate is Phil?

Groundhog Day is widely observed, but it’s not a federal holiday in the United States—schools and offices generally follow normal schedules outside places that treat the event as a major local happening.

As for accuracy, long-running scorekeeping typically puts Phil’s track record well below 50%, depending on how “early spring” and “six more weeks of winter” are defined and judged after the fact. That’s part of the reason the day persists: it’s less about beating meteorology and more about a shared winter checkpoint, with a prediction that sparks conversation either way.

Sources consulted: Associated Press; The Washington Post; Time and Date; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration