YOUNG TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Winter isn’t ready to loosen its grip just yet, at least according to Punxsutawney Phil.
The world’s most famous groundhog made his annual appearance early Monday morning, Feb. 2, at Gobbler’s Knob in Young Township, Pennsylvania. As the sun rose, Phil emerged from his burrow, saw his shadow, and delivered his forecast: six more weeks of winter.
The prediction follows a tradition that dates back to 1887, when the first official Groundhog Day celebration was held at Gobbler’s Knob, located about 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh in Jefferson County. Aside from a 10-year gap, Phil’s forecasts have been carefully recorded for more than a century.
Historically, Phil has leaned heavily toward winter. Of his recorded predictions, he has called for six more weeks of winter 110 times, compared to just 21 predictions of an early spring. His 2026 forecast continues that trend.
According to Groundhog Day legend, if Phil sees his shadow upon emerging from his den, winter weather will persist for six more weeks. If he does not see his shadow, an early spring is on the way.
Thousands of spectators gathered overnight to witness the 139th annual celebration, which remains one of the most enduring and popular traditions in the United States and Canada.
While Punxsutawney Phil may be the most famous weather-predicting groundhog, he isn’t the only one. Several local groundhogs across the Susquehanna Valley also make their own seasonal forecasts each year, offering alternative predictions for the months ahead.
