Staten Island Chuck predicted a longer winter, sparking cheers and boos. He’s NYC’s official groundhog, based at Staten Island Zoo.
On February 2, thousands gathered at Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania for the annual Groundhog Day event, where Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter by seeing his shadow. The tradition, rooted in European farming customs and Christian Candlemas, has grown in popularity since the 1993 Bill Murray film, despite its humorous and non-scientific nature.
On February 2, 2026, Staten Island Chuck and Punxsutawney Phil both saw their shadows, indicating six more weeks of winter. The tradition, rooted in European folklore and American culture, involves groundhogs predicting weather based on their emergence and shadow sighting. Phil's accuracy has been questioned, but the event remains popular.