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.

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