Pennsylvania
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/
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
🤠 G’day Thursday. Headlines. Pennsylvanians Pessimistic About Trump, Economy and State of Federal Government. PA’s Rainy Day Fund and 2026-27 Budget. U.S. Steel Workers Remain Divided Over Benefit of Nippon Steel Takeover. The Curse of the Rocky Statue 🎶 Your Morning Pick Me Up. Here and Now. Letters to Cleo…
Tomorrow’s front looks weaker with just a few showers early in the morning…
EVENING: Increasing clouds, summer-like. Temps near 80.
TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy and warm. Low 68.
THURSDAY: Scattered showers between 6-10am. Clearing, windy and warm for the afternoon. High 88.
Wednesday felt a little more like summer as temperatures reach 85 degrees. The humidity still remains tolerable this evening as clouds increase from an approaching front.
The cold front arrives Thursday morning, leading to a broken line of scattered showers between 6-10am. Once the front clears, gusty winds between 20-30mph will develops with afternoon temperatures near 88 degrees. A little unusual for a post cold front!
The upcoming weekend will be dry with low humidity and lots of sunshine. It should be a great weekend to spend with Dad! We’ll keep you posted, but the next chance for rain will be another front next Monday.
– Meteorologist Eric Finkenbinder
Content on this page may include affiliate links. If you click and sign up/place a wager, we may receive compensation at no cost to you.
A bipartisan package of bills would eliminate certain online gambling deposit methods, limit promotions, and strengthen protections for self-excluded gamblers.
Pennsylvania iGaming operators pulled in a record $2.78 billion in revenue last year, but some lawmakers want more responsible gaming consumer protections. State Reps. Tarik Khan (D-Phila) and Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) have introduced bipartisan legislation to provide better safeguards for PA online gamblers. Their series of bills seeks to add more protections, such as reduced deposit periods and limits on iGaming marketing.
Restrictions on push notifications, text marketing, credit cards & more
Dubbed Protecting Public Health in Online Gambling, Flick’s and Khan’s legislation breaks down into the following three parts:
- Pennsylvania Online Consumer Protection Act – Would establish “reasonable limits” on the frequency of deposits into online gambling accounts. It would also limit text message solicitations and push notifications involving sportsbook and casino bonus codes, while protecting against youth-targeted gambling ads and expanding responsible gaming programs.
- Prohibiting Funding of Online Gambling – Seeks to prohibit credits from being used to fund accounts at PA online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites.
- Strengthening Self-Exclusion Protections – Would ban online gambling operators from sending promotions, advertisements, or bonuses (e.g., free spins) to gamblers who’ve self-excluded from Pennsylvania’s gambling market.
Protecting young people and problem gamblers
Khan, who’s been a certified nurse practitioner since 2011, views Pennsylvania’s growing online gambling habit as a potential health challenge.
“As a nurse practitioner, I believe we should address problem gambling the same way we address other public health challenges: with prevention, education, treatment and commonsense safeguards,” Khan stated via his website.
“Our bipartisan bill package will help protect young people, individuals and families while supporting responsible gaming.”
Flick is primarily concerned with the number of young Pennsylvanians who are being exposed to ads involving sports betting, poker, and online casino games for real money.
“Too many young people are being exposed to online gambling through constant advertising and unprecedented access from their phones and devices,” said Flick. “These bills are about putting reasonable safeguards in place, promoting responsible gaming and helping ensure that young people and families are protected from gambling-related harm.”
New Pennsylvania online casino revenue record
The amount of revenue that Pennsylvania gambling sites are raking in continues to increase year after year. The $2.78 billion iGaming revenue figure from 2025 was up 27.22% from the previous year, when PA online casinos netted $2.18 billion.
While the Keystone State doesn’t break its iGaming revenue numbers down by game type, we can reasonably assume that the bulk of it comes from real money online slots.
Sports betting also experienced a record year, hitting $602.5 million, up 17.97% from 2025. The vast majority of this amount came via online sports gambling.
While this revenue increase is good for some of the best online casinos and sportsbooks in the state, it can also spell potential underlying problems. Khan and Flick are seeking to reduce some issues through their bills.
Responsible gambling
Bettors must be 21 years or older and otherwise eligible to register and place wagers at online casinos. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please seek assistance from trained professionals such as the Problem Gambling Help Network at 1-800-MY-RESET.
-
Wyoming2 minutes ago250 Portraits self-portrait exhibition now on display throughout downtown Jackson
-
Crypto9 minutes agoCrypto’s Courtside Takeover: Digital Assets in Pro Tennis
-
Finance12 minutes agoConsumer confidence plunges among younger adults
-
Fitness17 minutes agoKylie Minogue, 58, shares how she stays fit without a strict exercise routine – ‘I don’t really work out’
-
Movie Reviews27 minutes agoMovie Review: ‘Leviticus’ makes a demon out of desire in an auspicious debut for Adrian Chiarella – Sentinel Colorado
-
World39 minutes agoVideo: A Small Election Could Change British Politics
-
News42 minutes agoInside Trump’s Touring Exhibition of American Heroes
-
Politics47 minutes agoVideo: Erika Kirk’s Message for Women at Turning Point USA
