Monday is the annual celebration of Groundhog Day, which is a tradition to determine if there will be an early spring in 2026 or six more weeks of winter. 

Groundhog Day is observed on February 2nd of every year and involves a large ceremony that takes place in Punxsutawney, PA. The celebration comes from the superstition that if a groundhog comes out from his burrow and sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter, and if he does not, there will be an early spring. The famous groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, year in and year out is responsible for making the weather prediction at the annual celebration in the small Pennsylvania town. The tradition that originally started in Europe as Candlemas Day has now become a staple in the United States, and Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Vice President Dan McGinley spoke with KNIA/KRLS last year and said the event is an experience that you’re not going to find anywhere else.

“It has become a bucket list event. It is so unique. It is this combination of history and celebration and it’s this little slice of Americana that you can experience that you’re not going to find anywhere else. We are gathering outside in the middle of Pennsylvania in the middle of the night in the middle of the winter waiting to hear a groundhog predict the weather. It’s just as irreverent and quirky and fun as you can imagine.”

Monday is the 140th celebration of Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney. Statistically, Phil has been historically accurate with his prediction approximately 40% of the time since the tradition started.