Stay up to date with WRAL’s Groundhog Day news and reporting coverage
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist
The world's most famous weather predictor, Punxsutawney Phil, just became a dad two times over!
On Friday Snerd the Garner groundhog predicted early spring at White Deer Park in Garner.
Whether you're a groundhog named Snerd in Garner or an armadillo named Sylvia in Apex, animals across the country are getting their chance to predict whether or not spring will come early.
Garner's groundhog saw her shadow, which means there are 6 more weeks of winter.
The NC Museum of Natural Sciences said that despite Sir Walter Wally's retirement, there will still be displays and activities at the museum on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday is Groundhog Day and that means a couple of local groundhogs will be predicting the weather for us!
Punxsutawney Phil made his Groundhog Day prediction -- a longer winter -- during a celebration at Gobbler's Knob.
Wednesday is Groundhog Day and that means some animals will be predicting the weather for us!
Kathy Hanrahan, WRAL lifestyle editor
Get inspired and learn a little something in these family-friendly videos from museums and destinations across North Carolina.
Sarah LIndenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor
No prediction is more scientific than Sir Walter Wally's.
Kevin Kuzminski, WRAL multiplatform producer
Tuesday is Groundhog Day, and though COVID has squashed the usual in-person events to mark the day, local groundhogs will still be busy prognosticating.
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor
Garner is planning to put its annual event, starring Snerd the groundhog, online next week.
So it's kind of felt like Groundhog Day since last March. But the actual Groundhog Day is coming up. And, as usual, the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences is celebrating.
Sir Walter Wally saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter on Sunday at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Snerd appeared at Garner's White Deer Park with the prediction of an early spring.
Sir Walter Wally, Raleigh's favorite groundhog, saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter on Sunday at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Wally's forecast contradicted that of Punxsutawney Phil, who predicted an early spring in Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania early Sunday morning.
Tony Rice, WRAL contributor/NASA ambassador
Groundhog Day was celebrated for the first time at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Feb. 2, 1887.
The president of the Groundhog Club in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, reacts to PETA calling for Punxsutawney Phil to retire ahead of Groundhog Day. (Video from WJAC)
In this day of technology it seems no one's job is safe. Not even Punxsutawney Phil.
Local groundhogs Sir Walter Wally and Snerd will make their predictions on Sunday.
North Carolina's own Sir Walter Wally saw his shadow this morning, predicting that winter will continue. Earlier Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil emerged did not see his shadow predicting an early spring.
Tony Rice
Sir Walter Wally, the groundhog known for accurately predicting more than half of Raleigh's winter durations, indicated that the city will have a full winter.
Sir Walter Wally told Raleigh Pro Tem Mayor Corey Branch that there will be six more weeks of winter.
After starting with temperatures in the low 30s Saturday morning, lunchtime will be in the low 50s. Temperatures will warm up to the high 50s by 4 p.m. Skies will be clear and mild.
Kat Campbell, WRAL meteorologist
