The 15th Annual Groundhog Day in Dupont Circle Park - Monday, Feb 2 at 8:30AM SHARP
It’s Groundhog Day, and Potomac Phil, the National Groundhog, is ready to emerge in Dupont Circle to dispense his famed meteorological and political wisdom. Will we face six more weeks of winter blues, or is an early spring on the horizon? Join the excitement at DC’s quirkiest annual ritual (IYKYK), featuring banging polka hits, free coffee and pastries while supplies last, surprise appearances by VIP “celebrities,” and more. Festivities begin at the Dupont Circle Fountain, with Potomac Phil’s grand emergence at 8:30 a.m. sharp. Punctuality is key. Potomac Phil waits for no one. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Potomac Phil holding court in Dupont Circle, a tenure that outlasts Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency.
Groundhog Day “Potomac Phil 5K” - Monday, February 2, 2026 | 7:30 a.m. sharp
Want to break a sweat before Potomac Phil reveals his forecast? Our friends at November Project DC are hosting the Potomac Phil 5K, featuring a route shaped like a top hat around Dupont Circle. Lace up your running shoes and join the fun at 7:30 a.m., starting at Connecticut Avenue and Q Street NW. After the run, head over to Dupont Circle to join the Groundhog Day festivities, which kick off at 8:30 a.m. sharp, complete with complimentary coffee and morning snacks to warm your heart and soul.
Potomac Phil's Weather & Political Predictions: A Look Back
2025: Shadow – Six More Weeks of Winter; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2024: No Shadow – Early Spring; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2023: No Shadow – Early Spring; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2022: Shadow – Six More Weeks of Winter; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2021: No Shadow – Early Spring; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2020: Shadow – Six More Weeks of Winter; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2019: Shadow – Six More Weeks of Winter; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2018: Shadow – Six More Weeks of Winter; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2017: Shadow – Six More Weeks of Winter; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2016: No Shadow – Early Spring; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2015: Shadow – Six More Weeks of Winter; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2014: Shadow – Six More Weeks of Winter; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2013: No Shadow – Early Spring; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
2012: Shadow – Six More Weeks of Winter; 6 More Months of Political Gridlock
Out of the 14 years of predictions:
Shadow Seen (Six More Weeks of Winter): 9 times (64.3%)
No Shadow (Early Spring): 5 times (35.7%)
6 More Months of Political Gridlock: 100%
With the 2026 prediction, winter remains the more frequent outcome, now occurring nearly two-thirds of the time. However, the trend of early spring emerging in recent years has been disrupted, as two of the last three years have seen alternating results. Despite occasional shifts in weather predictions, one thing remains constant: Phil’s political forecast never wavers: six more months of gridlock.
**** Potomac Phil’s forecasts are correct within a margin of error known only to the groundhog.
The History of Groundhog Day in Washington, D.C.
A preview of Groundhog Day (2025) with Potomac Phil in Dupont Circle Park
