STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — He’s met dignitaries and a U.S. president, graced the jumbotron in Times Square, inspired a video game and a movie, and been broadcast live around the world.
And on Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil will emerge from his burrow and give us a glimpse into the future — whether or not we should expect an early spring in 2026.
Phil lives at Gobbler’s Knob, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He, along with Staten Island Chuck (a.k.a. Charles G. Hogg), of the Staten Island Zoo in West Brighton, are the best-known furry prognosticators in the northeast.
On Groundhog Day, if one sees his shadow and returns underground, he’s predicting six more weeks of winter are on the way. If the groundhog remains above ground on a cloudy day and doesn’t see his shadow, then we can expect an early spring, according to groundhog lore.
On Groundhog Day 2025, Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow at Gobbler’s Knob. Staten Island Chuck, however, predicted an early spring when no shadow was seen.
Weather records pointed to Chuck’s accuracy that year.
Phil and his partner, Phyllis, made headlines in 2024 when they welcomed two baby groundhogs in March of that year, a first for the groundhog since 1886, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.
And Phil made headlines last year, and again in 2026, as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals continue to call for him to be replaced with a holographic image. PETA said the animal is being exploited as he is trotted out annually before 30,000 people as he participates in lead-up activities.
PETA said that Phil should be left to hibernate in peace.
Annual tradition
The annual event of having Punxsutawney Phil predict weather dates back to Feb. 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney. The tradition stems from a Pennsylvania Dutch legend shared by German immigrants who settled in the state.
Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil during the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (Associated Press/Barry Reeger)Record of accuracy
Punxsutawney Phil may be one of the most well-known groundhogs, but it seems Staten Island’s Chuck has a better record and a devoted following of his own.
Each year, Punxsutawney Phil and Staten Island Chuck duke it out for accurate Groundhog Day predictions. According to the Staten Island Zoo, more often than not, it’s Chuck who gets it right.
As of 2024, Chuck has an 85% accuracy rate that dates back to 1981, his first year on the job, significantly higher than Punxsutawney Phil’s accuracy of 39% since 1887, Staten Island Zoo reports.
In 2025, when Chuck predicted an early spring and Phil did not, weather research, including an analysis conducted by students at Susan E. Wagner High School, backs Chuck up. It appears that while Chuck’s accuracy continued, Phil’s fell short again that year.
Facts about Punxsutawney Phil
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club shared a few facts about the most famous furry prognosticator to call Pennsylvania home:
1. Phil speaks a special language
When Phil emerges from his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob in Western Pennsylvania, he delivers his weather prediction in a unique language known as Groundhogese, the club said. Only the president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club can understand this language. After Phil communicates whether he has seen his shadow, the president translates the proclamation for everyone to hear.
2. How old is Phil?
According to Groundhog Club members, there has only been one Phil — and he has been predicting since 1887. That makes him over 135 years old. (Science tells us that groundhogs live only 14 years in captivity, so younger groundhogs have stepped in through the decades.)
3. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club was founded in 1887 by a group of groundhog hunters. Among the members was the editor of the Punxsutawney newspaper, who boldly declared that Punxsutawney Phil was the one and only true weather-predicting groundhog.
4. The Inner Circle
The Inner Circle is a group of dignitaries who are responsible for carrying out the Groundhog Day traditions and festivities. They are also responsible for caring for Punxsutawney Phil throughout the year.
5. Famous faces
In 2025, Anne M. Ryan, deputy secretary of tourism for the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economy, was the guest speaker at the Groundhog Club’s Annual Groundhog Banquet.During Prohibition, Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the community if he wasn’t allowed a drink.In 1981 Phil wore a yellow ribbon in honor of the American hostages in Iran.In 1996, Sega donated $10,000 to the Groundhog Club as Punxsutawney helped promote Sega’s newest game at the time, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.”In March 2015, Punxsutawney and members of the Inner Circle traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, to participate in the March Madness college basketball bracket picking challenge against Dick Vitale.
6. Phil’s prediction
While the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club said that Phil is correct 100% of the time, according to the StormFax Weather Almanac, Phil has an overall accuracy rate of 39% over the course of his career.
Feb. 2 forecast details
Punxsutawney Phil:
Groundhog Day events take place from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Gobbler’s Knob,1548 Woodland Ave. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
Parking is available in the nearby downtown and shuttle busses are available for $5. Events are planned during the day after Phil makes his prediction.
Staten Island Chuck:
Gates at the Staten Island Zoo will open at 7:30 a.m. at the Broadway entrance, 614 Broadway, with the program beginning at 8 a.m. Chuck will make his appearance and deliver his forecast at 8:30 a.m. Admission is free from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Zoo Executive Director Ken Mitchell will announce Chuck’s prediction alongside elected officials and local dignitaries.