Did the Groundhog Day prediction match MS long-term weather forecasts? Take a look
After a week of harsh winter storms, Punxsutawney Phil — the most popular weather-predicting animal in the country — awoke from his seasonal slumber to deliver a highly-anticipated annual forecast on how long the cold will linger.
Phil delivered a disappointing Groundhog Day forecast for many already growing weary of the freezing temperatures. At 7:25 a.m. Feb. 2, Phil saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter are ahead, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s website.
But do Mississippi forecasters agree with Phil’s prediction, made more than 1,000 miles away from the Gulf Coast?
Here’s what to know.
Is more winter in store for the MS Gulf Coast?
The Mississippi Gulf Coast will continue to see winter temperatures — just not as cold as it’s been recently, according to local weather forecasts.
A monthly Accuweather forecast shows temperatures warming up after this week, with highs in the 70s around Valentine’s Day weekend. By March the region will be well away from freezing temperatures, with the lowest temperatures forecasted in the high-forties, according to experts.
According to local weather experts at WLOX, the region should be safe from any more arctic blasts this season.
“Even if the groundhog is calling for ‘six more weeks of winter,’ perhaps it’ll be closer to our regular winter instead of the polar bear cold snaps that we’ve seen over the last month or so,” WLOX meteorologists said.
Why doesn’t MS have their own groundhog?
With the climate along the Mississippi Gulf Coast being so different from Pennsylvania, some might wonder why Mississippi doesn’t have their own weather-predicting groundhog.
One reason is that groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are rare on the Mississippi Coast.
The closest rodent forecaster to the Mississippi Coast is Pierre C. Shadeaux, a nutria based at the Zoo of Acadiana in Broussard, Louisiana.
This year, Pierre saw his shadow at about 7:15 a.m., meaning the Gulf Coast can expect a short spring and a long, hot summer, according to rodent lore, KATC reported.
What other states have weather-predicting animals?
Several states have had local weather-forecasting animals. Here’s what they are by state, according to the World Population Review:
- Alabama: Sand Mountain Sam, an opossum
- Arizona:Agua Fria Freddie, a rattlesnake
- California: Mojave Maxine, a desert tortoise
- Colorado: Boulder, a marmotConnecticut: Chuckles XI, a groundhog
- Florida: Owlivia and Owliver, owls
- Georgia: General Beauregard “Beau” Lee, a groundhog
- Idaho: Boisi Bill, a stuffed prairie dog
- Illinois: Gertie, a groundhog
- Indiana: Grubby, a groundhog
- Iowa: Polk County Paula, a groundhog mascot
- Kentucky: Cinnamon, a Guinea pig
- Louisiana: Pierre C. Shadeaux, a nutria
- Maine: Kennebec Kenny, a groundhog mascot
- Maryland: Western Maryland Murray, a groundhog
- Massachusetts: Ms. G, a groundhog
- Michigan: Woody, a groundhog
- Missouri: Tater, a hedgehog
- Montana: Bitterroot Bill, a stuffed yellow-bellied marmot
- Nebraska: Unadilla Bill, a stuffed groundhog
- Nevada: Mojave Max, a desert tortoise
- New Jersey: Milltown Mel and Essex Ed, groundhogs
- New Mexico: Rio Grande Ralph, a prairie dog
- New York: Staten Island Chuck, a groundhog
- North Carolina: Queen Charlotte, a groundhog
- Ohio: Buckeye Chuck, a groundhog
- Oklahoma: Will and Wiley, grizzly bears
- Tennessee: Chattanooga Chuck, a groundhog
- Texas: Big Al, an alligator
- Utah: Sunset Sam, a Guinea pig
- Virginia: Chesapeake Chuck, a groundhog
- Washington: Snohomish Slew, a bullfrog
- West Virginia: French Creek Freddie, a groundhog
- Wisconsin: Jimmy, a groundhog
This story was originally published February 2, 2026 at 12:02 PM.
