Will the groundhog's winter prophecy hold true? Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow in 2023
Every Feb. 2, America turns its sights on a small town in central Pennsylvania to find out whether a small, four-legged creature sees his shadow. This is the 137th year of the Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney.
Six more weeks of winter: Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow
Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, therefore, 6 more weeks of winter weather!
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. – Americans will endure six more weeks of winter, according to the one and only Punxsutawney Phil.
The famous groundhog revealed his answer after seeing his shadow outside his stump Thursday morning. Every Feb. 2, the world turns its sights on a small town in central Pennsylvania to find out whether a small, four-legged creature sees his shadow. This is the 137th year of the Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney.
HOW ACCURATE IS PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL?
Here's a look at Punxsutawney Phil's predictions over the past decade.
(FOX Weather)
Groundhog Day 2023: Phil saw his shadow
Legend has it that if America's favorite marmot sees his shadow, then there are six more weeks of winter ahead. If not, spring will arrive early.
The animal prognosticator has been at it since the 1880s. Records kept by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club show Phil had predicted 107 continued winters and only 20 early springs as of 2023. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Phil has gotten it right 40% of the time over the past 10 years.
MOVE OVER, PHIL: HERE ARE 10 OTHER GROUNDHOGS THAT WEIGH IN ON THE FORECAST
![]()
Image 1 of 6(Michael Swensen)
![]()
Image 2 of 6Groundhog handler AJ Derume holds Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow, predicting a late spring during the 136th annual Groundhog Day festivities on February 2, 2023 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. (Michael Swensen)
![]()
Image 3 of 6Groundhog handler AJ Derume holds Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow, predicting a late spring during the 136th annual Groundhog Day festivities on February 2, 2022 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. (Michael Swensen)
![]()
Image 4 of 6Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his children pose for a portrait with Groundhog handler AJ Derume and Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow, predicting a late spring during the 136th annual Groundhog Day festivities on February 2, 2023 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. (Michael Swensen)
![]()
Image 5 of 6Vice President Dan McGinley shows a scroll to the crowd as Groundhog handler AJ Derume holds Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow, predicting a late spring during the 136th annual Groundhog Day festivities on February 2, 2023 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. (Michael Swensen)
![]()
Image 6 of 6A crowd of people await to see Phil on February 2, 2023 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. (Michael Swensen)
Temperatures were in the teens at sunrise on Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney. Mostly sunny skies with a high in the mid-30s is expected Thursday afternoon. Scattered snow showers are possible late Thursday night as wind gusts increase to near 30 mph.
Phil also saw his shadow last year, which meant another prediction of a continued winter. However, NOAA experts said he missed the mark. While February was slightly colder than average, March's temperatures were much warmer than average.
If you don't take Phil's word, other so-called animal forecasters have popped up around the country, all with the same goal of answering the age-old question: When will winter end?
February temperature outlook for the East doesn't align with Phil's prediction
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center released an updated February outlook on Tuesday.
(FOX Weather)
Warmer-than-average conditions are predicted from portions of the southern Plains extending northward into the Great Lakes, as well as from the Tennessee Valley northeastward into New England. Above-average temperatures are also heavily favored in the southeastern U.S. and along much of the East Coast.
HARSH-COLD FEBRUARY? NOAA'S WARM OUTLOOK SHOWS WINTER STILL HIDING FOR SOME
The only regions predicted to have a colder-than-average February are the Pacific Northwest, West Coast and Rockies.