Science & Nature
Punxsutawney Phil and Woodstock Willie Have Spoken and the Results Are Split
Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 140th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Phil's handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter. (AP Photo / Barry Reeger)
The Groundhog Day results are in and once again Punxsutawney Phil and Woodstock Willie have issued competing prognostications.
Phil, who's been at this since 1886, delivered his forecast first, glimpsing his shadow and predicting six more weeks of winter. The pride of Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania, Phil has fairly consistently declared “more winter.”
Willie is arguably less experienced, having entered the business in 1997, after Woodstock got a taste of Hollywood fame. He had a more positive outlook — with no shadow observed — and proclaimed an early spring. Willie's overall record swings contrary to Phil's, predicting “spring is coming” by a two-to-one margin over prolonged.
The two did agree on one thing.
Having performed their annual duty, both groundhogs promptly resumed their winter naps.
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