Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow at sunrise Sunday morning and predicted six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day.
The prediction at 7:25 a.m. came before thousands who gathered Sunday at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney and cheered for the prognostication. Last year, Phil did not see his shadow and predicted an early spring.
“There’s a shadow up here,” Phil’s handler read from a scroll after the groundhog emerged from his burrow. “Get ready for six more weeks of winter this year.”
Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow and predicts six more weeks of winter! #GroundhogDaypic.twitter.com/eevOY4XuIk
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) February 2, 2025
Phil has predicted a longer winter far more often than an early spring, and one effort to track his accuracy concluded he was right less than half the time.
Gov. Josh Shapiro was on hand at Gobbler’s Knob for the announcement in Punxsutawney.
Check back here for live updates from TribLive and reporter Megan Swift.
Good morning from Punxsutawney — where I’m about to take the shuttle up to Gobbler’s Knob.
Phil, here we come! Stay tuned for live coverage all morning (as long as cell service cooperates) for @TribLIVEpic.twitter.com/clmonBOB5e
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) February 2, 2025
Competition for Phil
Western Pennsylvania has its beloved Punxsutawney Phil, but in Illinois, there’s a lesser-known contender for the groundhog throne: Woodstock Willie.
Home of the popular “Groundhog Day” movie starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, Woodstock, Ill., attracts a bustling crowd hoping to catch a glimpse of Willie’s weather prediction every Feb. 2, much like the scene in Punxsutawney watching Phil.
The Associated Press contributed.