On February 2, 2026, groundhogs across the United States will once again take center stage as they forecast the arrival of spring. Punxsutawney Phil, the renowned groundhog from Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania, will emerge from his burrow to determine whether there will be an early spring or six more weeks of winter. This annual tradition, which dates back to 1887, has become a cherished event in American folklore.
Phil’s counterpart, Staten Island Chuck, will also make his prediction at the Staten Island Zoo in New York City. Both groundhogs have their devoted followers, and their forecasts are eagerly anticipated by many. The outcome of their predictions hinges on whether they see their shadows upon emerging from their burrows; seeing a shadow suggests continued winter, while not seeing it indicates an early spring.
Groundhog Day Traditions and Records
The tradition of Groundhog Day stems from a Pennsylvania Dutch legend brought to the United States by German immigrants. According to this lore, if a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2, winter will persist for six more weeks. In contrast, if the day is cloudy and the groundhog does not see its shadow, spring is expected to arrive early.
In 2025, Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow, while Staten Island Chuck forecast an early spring. Notably, weather analyses supported Chuck’s prediction, as he has maintained an impressive 85% accuracy rate since 1981, significantly higher than Phil’s 39% accuracy since the tradition began.
Phil and his partner, Phyllis, made headlines in 2024 when they welcomed two baby groundhogs, marking the first time since 1886 that offspring were born to the famous prognosticator. Despite these milestones, Phil’s annual appearance has drawn criticism from animal rights organizations like the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). They argue that the groundhog should be allowed to hibernate undisturbed, rather than be paraded before large crowds.
Fun Facts About Punxsutawney Phil
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club has shared several interesting facts about Phil, the most famous weather-predicting groundhog:
1. **Groundhogese**: Phil communicates his weather prediction in a unique language called Groundhogese, which is understood only by the president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. After Phil makes his prediction, the president translates it for the audience.
2. **Age**: Phil is reportedly over 135 years old, as he has been making predictions since 1887. Scientific studies indicate that groundhogs typically live only around 14 years in captivity, suggesting that younger groundhogs have filled in for Phil over the decades.
3. **The Groundhog Club**: Founded in 1887 by a group of groundhog hunters, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club has been responsible for maintaining the tradition. One of its founding members was the editor of a local newspaper who proclaimed Phil as the one true weather predictor.
4. **The Inner Circle**: This group of dignitaries oversees the Groundhog Day festivities and is tasked with caring for Phil throughout the year.
5. **Celebrity Appearances**: Phil has had his share of famous visitors and events. In 2025, Anne M. Ryan, deputy secretary of tourism for Pennsylvania, was a guest speaker at the Groundhog Club’s annual banquet. Throughout his history, Phil has engaged in various promotional activities, including wearing a yellow ribbon in honor of American hostages during Prohibition and participating in a college basketball bracket challenge in 2015.
6. **Accuracy Claims**: While the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club claims Phil is correct 100% of the time, records show that his overall accuracy is only 39% according to the StormFax Weather Almanac.
For those wishing to witness the events in person, Groundhog Day festivities at Gobbler’s Knob will take place from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 2. Parking options are available in downtown Punxsutawney, with shuttle buses offered for a fee of $5. Meanwhile, Staten Island Chuck will make his appearance at the Staten Island Zoo, with gates opening at 7:30 a.m. and the official program commencing at 8 a.m.. Admission to the zoo will be free until 8:30 a.m., when Chuck’s forecast will be announced by Zoo Executive Director Ken Mitchell alongside local dignitaries.
As Groundhog Day approaches, anticipation builds for the predictions of both Phil and Chuck, who continue to capture the imaginations of fans across the country.
