Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? What to know about the groundhog's prediction
It's Groundhog Day, a special day for fans of weather-predicting rodents! Here's Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction about winter.
The largest crowd to ever gathered at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in crisp 19-degree weather, which felt more like 16 degrees, according to AccuWeather, to watch Phil make his prediction.
After the band "Lights Out" sang the National Anthem, fireworks shot into the sky before the sun even rose. The fireworks show was synchronized to iconic songs like "Star Wars's" theme song and the "Imperial March."
More musical acts performed songs inspired by the psychic rodent, and then "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers, "Sunday Finest" by Sir Rosevelt and "Shout" by Otis Day and the Knights played over the event's speakers.
Then, after more speeches and an introduction to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle, Phil left his stump and made his prediction as the crowd chanted his name and cheered.
Finally, at around 7:25 a.m. ET, Phil, the seer of seers, saw his shadow and predicted the year would see an extra long winter!
The groundhog made his prediction on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and delivered his meteorological prophecy in Groundhogese.
Though Phil's predictions are not always correct and were only right around 40% of the time between 2012 and 2021, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hopefully he's wrong about the frigid temperatures continuing.
Live updates: He saw his shadow: Punxsutawney Phil predicts more winter on Groundhog Day
When is Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is on Sunday, February 2. Phil usually makes his prediction after 7 a.m. ET.
How to watch Punxsutawney Phil's prediction
Punxsutawney Phil's prediction can be watched on USA TODAY's live stream. It began on Sunday, at 6:15 a.m. ET.
Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?
Yes, according to the Seer of Seers, we will have a prolonged winter.
What is Groundhog Day?
People flock to Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on February 2nd every year to be a part of the celebrations revolving around Punxsutawney Phil's winter forecast.
The holiday stems from a centuries-old Pagan and Christian tradition, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. It is also known as St. Brigid’s Day.
German settlers brought the tradition to America, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. But, before they made the trek to the foreign land, they checked to see if a hedgehog saw its shadow, not a groundhog.
Due to a lack of hedgehogs in America, the settlers began using another hibernating mammal: The groundhog.
The day eventually evolved into what we know it today. In 1886, Groundhog Day was acknowledged for the first time in Punxsutawney by a local newspaper, Weathers Wags, according to the club. In 1887, the first official pilgrimage to see Phil on Gobbler’s Knob while he made his predictions were made.
In 2025, 138 years later, Punxsutawney Phil is making his predictions to a sold-out crowd.
Did Phil see his shadow last year? Was he right?
In 2024, Phil predicted we would see an early spring, and he was technically correct!
Because 2024 was a leap year, spring was a day early, according to News-Press, a part of the USA TODAY Network.
Contributing: Zach Tuggle, Marion Star; C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida; Saman Shafiq, Emily DeLetter, Eric Lagatta, Jordan Mendoza; USA TODAY; Katie Wiseman, Indianapolis Star
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? Here's what to know
