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What is Groundhog Day? Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow 2026? Watch

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2 months ago

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What is Groundhog Day? Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow 2026? Watch


It is almost time for “Weather Predictor Extraordinaire,” Punxsutawney Phil, to decide if six more weeks of winter are in our future or if spring is right around the corner.

And for many in the Carolinas, it is hopes for the latter after the weekend snowstorm.

Groundhog Day is the time when a legendary groundhog makes his prediction as thousands of his biggest fans gather to cheer Phil on during his yearly duty on Groundhog Day in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

In the years since the tradition of the groundhog seeing his shadow started, it has become a cultural phenomenon that leads up to a big party/

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And the party is alreday under way early in the morning, hours before Phil was even “awake”. People with Phil signs and groundhog hats on danced to music, enjoyed fireworks and the much-anticipated main event.

The big question is, will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow or not?

“Wake up Phil! Wake up Phil!” filled the air before Phil’s big reveal in Pennsylvania on Monday, Feb. 2, before the groundhog came into the light to predict whether we’ll see six more weeks of winter or an early spring. 

The crowd encouraged Phil to wake up just a short time before the sun began to rise on the cold morning in Pennsylvania, just after 7 a.m.  

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Chants of “Phil! Phil! Phil!” filled the air as Punxsutawney Phil was awaken from his slumber ― he was very comfortable in his hay bed ― to make his prediction.  

Punxsutawney Phil brought cheers, and some boos, as he predicted six more weeks of winter this year.

Phil’s prediction typically happens after 7 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Where to watch if the groundhog will see his shadow?

You can watch a live feed of the event at Visit Pennsylvania’s website on Groundhog Day. The livestream, started at 4 a.m. ET and you can find it here. You can also see USA TODAY’s live stream at the top of this story.

When is Groundhog Day 2026?

Groundhog Day is on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.

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It might not be a federal holiday, but people in the U.S. tune in to see if Phil, or their own local groundhog celebrity, sees his shadow every year on the same day, Feb. 2. If he sees his shadow, he predicts six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, it’s a forecast of an early spring. 

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Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil almost always predicts this

According to Groundhog Day legend, winter will last six more weeks if Phil sees his shadow, but there will be an early spring if he doesn’t.

What is Groundhog Day?

In the American tradition of Groundhog Day, the nation’s most well-known groundhog takes a stance on the season ahead.

The biggest celebration happens in Pennsylvania. Each year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Gobbler’s Knob becomes a hive of activity for those wondering if winter is going to last a few more weeks. The celebration is free and spectators can enter the grounds starting at 3 a.m. ET. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club celebrates with talent shows, banquets and performances leading up to, and after, the prediction. 

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When was Groundhog Day first celebrated?

The first Groundhog Day was celebrated on Feb. 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Penn., according to History.com.

The tradition has roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be.

Germans added to the tradition by selecting an animal to help predict the weather. But it wasn’t the groundhog at first, it was the hedgehog. After coming to America, German settlers in Pennsylvania continued the tradition and made the switch from hedgehogs to groundhogs, which were plentiful in the state.

And while the tradition has old-world roots it hasn’t gotten old, Punxsutawney Phil is still making his predictions to a sold-old crowd 138 years later.

How often is Punxsutawney Phil right?

While Phil may be known as the “Weather Predictor Extraordinaire,” the groundhog’s predictions are rarely right.

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Punxsutawney Phil has been right 39% of the time since the tradition started in 1887, according to the Stormfax Weather Almanac. Phil has seen his shadow more often than not, predicting a longer winter 107 (84%) times. USA Today compiled all of his results since 1887:

  • Saw shadow (six more weeks of winter): 107
  • No shadow (early spring): 19
  • Partial shadow: 1
  • No record: 10
  • Did not appear: 1 



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Pennsylvania

Western Pennsylvania man takes Terrible Towel to Mount Everest as tribute to late friend

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23 minutes ago

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April 17, 2026

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Western Pennsylvania man takes Terrible Towel to Mount Everest as tribute to late friend



The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Terrible Towel is a symbol of celebration known around the world, but it was recently taken to new heights.

Allen Dean, a Steelers fan from Sewickley, recently took a Terrible Towel with him as he climbed Mt. Everest.

“I had to show myself that I can do whatever I set my mind to,” says Dean, who spoke with KDKA-TV’s Barry Pintar after his climb from Pokhara, Nepal, near Mt. Everest. “By doing that, I was an example to my kids that, through all the hardships our family has gone through, if you put your mind to something, you can do it, and if it is something as big as Everest, whatever it is, that if you put your mind to it, you can do it.”

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Allen says a man called “Big Mike” was a long-time father figure who died a few months ago. His window gave Allen Big Mike’s Terrible Towel. It was then, by way of tribute, that an idea was born.

“She asked me, ‘Allen, would you be able to take the terrible towel to Everest if you make it?’ I said, ‘Absolutely, for Big Mike, anything,’” Dean recalled. “Big Mike was like my last father figure that I had around, so it meant a lot to me to just bring peace. It just meant a lot to me to finalize the loss of such a male role model in my life.”

Allen says he trained vigorously for this climb, often spending weekends taking his kids to hike just about every regional state park imaginable.

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Pennsylvania

Shirley J. Griffith, Sharon, PA

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13 hours ago

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April 17, 2026

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Shirley J. Griffith, Sharon, PA


SHARON, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Shirley J. Griffith, age 91, of Sharon, Pennsylvania, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2025, in John XXIII Home, in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, with her loving family by her side.

Born October 4, 1934, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Ernestine (Brunson) Eckenrode.

She married Donald M. Griffith, on May 12, 1956, and he preceded her in death on September 28, 2019.

Shirley graduated from Sharon High School in 1952 and worked in the main office of Golden Dawn, in Sharon, as a bookkeeper, in the accounts payable department. 

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She was a former member of St. Joseph’s Church in Sharon, Pennsylvania and liked to read, knit and do cross stitch.

Surviving is her daughter, Stacy Bika, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania; her sons, Douglas M. (Barbara) Griffith of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and David M. (Joy) Griffith of Hurdle Mills, North Carolina; a sister, Peggy Fuchs, of Punta Gorda, Florida; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Daniel “Bucky” Griffith; and a sister, Donna Wiedmann.

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no visitation or services.

Arrangements are being are being handled by the Harold W. Stevenson Funeral Home, 264 E. State Street, Sharon, PA, 16146.

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On-line condolences may be offered by visiting stevensonfuneralhome.net.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of Shirley J. Griffith, please click here to visit our sympathy store.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Shirley J. Griffith, please click here to visit our sympathy store.

A television tribute will air Sunday, April 19, at the following approximate times: 8:58 a.m. on WKBN and 7:58 p.m. on FOX. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

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Pennsylvania

Rabb tops fundraising in Pennsylvania primary, but Stanford leads in cash

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1 day ago

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April 16, 2026

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Rabb tops fundraising in Pennsylvania primary, but Stanford leads in cash


What questions do you have about the 2026 elections? What major issues do you want candidates to address? Let us know.

Pennsylvania state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Philadelphia, surged to the front of the Democratic primary fundraising race in the latest quarter, nearly doubling his closest rivals, despite a recent campaign finance scandal that drained his coffers.

Rabb, who identifies as the progressive candidate in the race, brought in nearly $385,000 between Jan. 1 and March 31.

That number was around twice as much as both of his primary competitors — state Sen. Sharif Street, who previously led the field in fundraising, with $199,000, and Dr. Ala Stanford, with $211,000, in the same period of time.

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While Rabb led in new money raised, Stanford entered April with the strongest overall financial position, partly thanks to a $250,000 loan she gave her campaign last year. Her campaign reported about $450,000 cash on hand, compared to Rabb’s $236,000. Street ended the quarter with $263,000.

Rabb’s total was especially notable because it came after his team disclosed that his former treasurer allegedly made more than $160,000 in unauthorized withdrawals from the campaign account last year.



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