While it feels like Washingtonians started 2026 wrapping themselves in as many layers as possible to avoid frostbite, it felt like everyone was on the edge of their seats this Groundhog Day, hoping that there would be signs of spring on the horizon.
Unfortunately for Washingtonians, no such good news came… Both Punxsutawney & Potomac Phil have reportedly predicted that six more weeks of winter are on their way.
Who is Punxsutawney Phil?
Punxsutawney Phil is a famous groundhog from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, known for his weather “predictions” each Groundhog Day based on whether he sees his shadow.
In reality, his track record isn’t great—independent analyses typically put his accuracy at well under 50%, meaning his predictions are more traditional and fun than meteorological science.
Who is Potomac Phil?
Potomac Phil is Washington, D.C.’s own Groundhog Day figure; however, unlike most of the nation’s famous weather-predicting groundhogs, Potomac Phil is taxidermied.
His reliability is no better than chance—there’s no scientific basis behind the forecast, since his predictions are “interpreted” by his handlers based on his ‘non-verbals’—so his role is almost entirely ceremonial and for fun.
What does Washington, D.C.’s weather outlook actually look like?
Well, we’re not suddenly taking out weather advice from rodents, but it does seem like both Phils do have a point.
The forecast for the upcoming weeks shows continued cold, at least for the foreseeable future, including temps averaging below freezing until next week at the earliest!
In other words, those gigantic mounds of ‘snow-crete’ that you’ve seen around the District more than likely are not going anywhere until at least next week, when the temperatures are expected to stay above freezing for at least a full day