what did the groundhog decide

Punxsutawney Phil's 2026 Verdict Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog from Pennsylvania, emerged from his burrow on February 2, 2026—today—and saw his shadow. According to tradition, this means six more weeks of winter ahead, pushing colder weather until mid-March.

Quick Tradition Breakdown

Groundhog Day stems from European folklore, where animals like badgers checked for shadows on Candlemas to predict weather. In 1887, Punxsutawney adopted Phil as its star predictor—if he sees his shadow (due to clear skies), winter lingers; no shadow signals early spring. Phil's accuracy hovers around 30-40% historically, more fun than science, as groundhogs scout mates in early February rather than forecast.

2026 Latest News

• Phil's Call : Handlers at Gobbler's Knob confirmed the shadow sighting amid sunny skies, followed by "The Pennsylvania Polka" and "I Got You Babe." Thousands gathered despite the cold.

• Other Groundhogs Agree : General Beauregard Lee (Georgia), Dover Doug (Pennsylvania), Gidget (New York), and Birmingham Jill (Alabama opossum) also predicted more winter. Potomac Phil even quipped six more months of political stalemate.

• Fun Texas Twist : Bee Cave Bob, an armadillo, was set to weigh in later near Austin.

Trending Forum Buzz & Viewpoints

Social media and forums lit up today with mixed reactions—winter-weary folks groaned, while skeptics pointed to Phil's spotty record. One forum thread highlighted last year's similar call despite a warm March, calling it "groundhog clickbait." Others celebrated the spectacle: "Who needs NOAA when you've got Phil's scroll?" Enthusiasts shared stories of past events, like families bundling up for hot cocoa at Gobbler's Knob. Lighthearted speculation runs wild: Will this year's shadow hold amid climate shifts, or is spring sneaking in anyway?

"It is my job this Feb. 2 to look to the skies and report back to you that there is a shadow here on my ground, six more weeks of winter abound." —Phil's official prediction scroll

TL;DR : Phil saw his shadow—brace for six more weeks of winter, per tradition (though meteorologists beg to differ).

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.