Punxsutawney Phil Forecasts Extended Winter

Winter isn’t going anywhere, according to the rodent that Pennsylvania outsources its forecasting to each February.

The nation’s most famous furry forecaster emerged from his burrow Monday morning to deliver a chilly verdict: six more weeks of winter.

Punxsutawney Phil, the legendary groundhog, saw his shadow at sunrise at Gobbler’s Knob.

The small woodlands creature was brought from his burrow to thousands who gathered in the freezing rural woods of Jefferson County.

The tradition, which dates back to 1886, holds that if the groundhog sees his shadow, winter persists. If not, an early spring is imminent.

The temperature sat at 1 degree as Punxsutawney Phil was hoisted into the air just after dawn.

“Groundhog Day continues to be one of the most joyful and inclusive traditions in the country,” said Thomas A. Dunkel, president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. “It brings people together from near and far to celebrate community, tradition, and a little fun in the middle of winter.”

While Phil’s prediction is rooted in folklore, the National Weather Service confirmed that frigid conditions will continue their hold on the region.

Forecasters in Philadelphia expect the cold to continue throughout the week.

The National Weather Service’s regional forecast office said Monday will hit a high of 30 degrees in Bucks County, the warmest day since Jan. 23.

In January, temperatures plummeted to -1 degree at Trenton-Mercer Airport, while Philadelphia hit 10 degrees.

Pennsylvania officials view the annual Punxsutawney Phil event as the unofficial kickoff to the state’s tourism season.

In 2024, the tourism industry generated $83.9 billion in economic impact and supported more than 514,000 jobs.

“Each year, Punxsutawney Phil draws national and international attention to Pennsylvania,” said Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary for Tourism Anne Ryan.

Ryan noted that the extended winter forecast allows more time for skiing and visiting historic sites before the state enters a massive year of travel.

Pennsylvania is preparing for a surge of millions of visitors in 2026 as it prepares to host the NFL Draft, the PGA Championship, the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game, and celebrations for America’s 250th birthday.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office said they have allocated an extra $50 million in funding for preparations ahead of the rush of tourists.

“Today’s prognostication made for another memorable Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney,” Dunkel said.