Why Punxsutawney Phil’s Weather Forecast May Not Be so Accurate

Is Punxsutawney Phil a fraud? Groundhog's accuracy draws questions

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) - Pennsylvania's clairvoyant groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, made headlines Monday morning with his prediction during this year's Groundhog Day event. It was revealed that Phil saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. But just how accurate has the seer of seers been in his predictions since the tradition started in 1887? [...]

Why Punxsutawney Phil’s weather forecast may not be so accurate

The second day of February is Groundhog Day, a day when Americans find out whether they’re in for another six weeks of winter — or can gear up for an early spring. In the case of 2026 … gear up for six more weeks of winter.  It’s a tradition like no other, but what makes it so special? Why is there so much fanfare surrounding a groundhog and his shadow? Well, it all dates back to 1887 when a groundhog named Phil in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, ma…

Groundhog Day 2026 recap. See forecasts from around the country

From Ontario to Ohio, dozens of Groundhog Day forecasters have made their predictions for the weather weeks to come. Four-legged prognosticators around the country and in Canada came out of the shadows early on Monday, Feb. 2, to cast their pick: early spring or more winter. While Punxsutawney…

How accurate is Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day? NOAA data tells us

According to NOAA, Phil the groundhog is no better at predicting weather than the meteorologists are. So don't plan your winter around his prediction.

Groundhog Day 2026 recap. See forecasts from around the country.

Aside from Punxsutawney Phil, dozens more groundhogs around the country cast their predictions for 2026. See what they think.

How accurate are Groundhog Day forecasts? Here are the stats

It’s hardly surprising that after two straight weeks of sub-freezing temperatures that the Chicago area was looking for any sign of hope they could get on Groundhog Day. The tradition of Groundhog Day dates back centuries, with the conceit that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, it means that there will be six more weeks of winter. If there is no shadow, then an early spring will occur. Punxsatawney Phil is undoubtedly t…