Get ready for Groundhog Day: What it means if he sees his shadow, everything to know

Saman Shafiq and Julia Gomez, USA TODAY
·4 min read

It's been a harsh winter, especially during January when much of the U.S. was hit with a major winter storm followed by an Arctic blast of below-average temperatures and a "once in a generation weather event" which set snowfall records in the South. But the good news is January is almost over and in a just a few days, on Groundhog Day, we'll find out if the ongoing weather conditions will persist or if spring is on the horizon.

On Sunday, "Weather Predictor Extraordinaire" Punxsutawney Phil will use his shadow to predict if the bitter cold weather will last six more weeks or if we're finally getting warmer weather.

As bizarre as it sounds, the tradition of a groundhog predicting the weather has spanned centuries, originating as far back as 1886. Here is everything you need to know about the prophetic rodent and the day dedicated to his winter forecast.

Punxsutawney Phil's handler A.J. Dereume holds the famous groundhog during the 136th Groundhog Day, at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 2, 2022.
Punxsutawney Phil's handler A.J. Dereume holds the famous groundhog during the 136th Groundhog Day, at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 2, 2022.

Punxsutawney Phil's year-by-year record: Just how accurate are his forecasts?

When is Groundhog Day? What time does it start?

Groundhog Day is on Sunday, Feb. 2. Phil is expected to make his prediction early in the morning. It typically happens after 7 a.m.

What does it mean if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow?

If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, it means winter will last another six more weeks and he returns to his den. If he does not see his shadow, it means an early spring, and Phil will remain above ground.

What is Groundhog Day?

People flock to Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 2 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 America, they checked to see if a hedgehog saw its shadow, not a groundhog.

Due to a lack of hedgehogs, 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.

President Tom Dunkel and Groundhog handler AJ Derume with Punxsutawney Phil on February 2, 2023 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. A crowd of upwards of 5,000 people spent a night of revelry awaiting the sunrise and the groundhog's exit from his winter den.
President Tom Dunkel and Groundhog handler AJ Derume with Punxsutawney Phil on February 2, 2023 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. A crowd of upwards of 5,000 people spent a night of revelry awaiting the sunrise and the groundhog's exit from his winter den.

Who is Punxsutawney Phil?

Punxsutawney Phil is the famous groundhog who predicts the weather in "Groundhogese," according to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

According to the club, Punxsutawney Phil is also known as the:

  • Seer of Seers

  • Prognosticator of Prognosticators

  • Weather Predictor Extraordinaire

  • Br’er Groundhog

  • National Treasure

Phil is reportedly 139 years old and has lived in Punxsutawney since the first Grover Cleveland administration, according to KDKA News and NPR. His immortality stems from a secret elixir of life he drinks each summer. The secret elixir is available only to him and each sip "gives him seven years of longevity," president of Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Thomas A. Dunkel told NPR.

"There's only one Punxsutawney Phil," Dunkel told KDKA News. "That's the problem with being an immortal. You outlive the family, I'm afraid. And that is one of the downsides of living forever."

Punxsutawney Phil's stump door is seen in the pre-dawn hours of the 136th Groundhog Day, held annually to try to predict the end of winter, at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 2, 2022.
Punxsutawney Phil's stump door is seen in the pre-dawn hours of the 136th Groundhog Day, held annually to try to predict the end of winter, at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 2, 2022.

Punxsutawney Phil family

When he isn't predicting the weather, he is at home, with his wife, Phyliss. The couple welcomed two groundhog pups last year in March, making this Groundhog Day Phil's first as a dad. The twins, a girl and a boy, have been named Sunny and Shadow, respectively.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Punxsutawney Groundhog Club (@punxsyphil)

Do other states have animals predicting the weather?

Phil isn't the only weather-predicting groundhog. Shout out to General Beauregard Lee in Georgia, Buckeye Chuck in Ohio, and Staten Island Chuck in New York. However, Phil is the most famous, and according to his website, "the only true weather forecasting groundhog. The others are just impostors."

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, winter was a day early, according to News-Press, a part of the USA TODAY Network.

Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil pictured as he makes his prediction on how long winter will last during the Groundhog Day Festivities, at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Feb. 2, 2024.
Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil pictured as he makes his prediction on how long winter will last during the Groundhog Day Festivities, at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Feb. 2, 2024.

How accurate is Phil?

While Phil is the most famous, he isn't the most accurate.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Phil has a 35% overall accuracy rating over 135 years.

In comparison, Ohio's groundhog, Buckeye Chuck, has been correct an estimated 75% of the time, according to Marion Star, a part of the USA TODAY Network.

How to watch Punxsutawney Phil make his prediction

You are able to watch the livestream for this event on Visit Pennsylvania's website on Groundhog Day at visitpa.com/live-stream-phils-prediction.

The stream will begin at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Contributing: Zach Tuggle, Marion Star; C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida; 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: Groundhog Day 2025: When does Punxsutawney Phil come out, what to know

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