when will groundhog see his shadow

The groundhog’s “shadow moment” happens every year on February 2 , right after sunrise, during the Groundhog Day ceremony (for Punxsutawney Phil, that’s around 7 a.m. ET at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania).

Quick Scoop: What it actually means

• If the groundhog comes out on February 2 and sees his shadow , folklore says there will be six more weeks of winter.

• If he does not see his shadow, it’s supposed to mean an early spring.

• This tradition is tied to the old European Candlemas Day custom, brought to Pennsylvania by German settlers.

In 2026, Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow , so the legend calls for six more weeks of winter.