Forget groundhogs. Here's the first day of spring according to astronomy.

It's Groundhog Day 2026, and Punxsutawney Phil predicted we will see six more weeks of winter. While many booed and scowled at the idea of more cold, the woodchuck may not be so far off.

The first day of spring occurs on the spring equinox, which is also known as the March equinox or the vernal equinox. That day puts the astronomical first day of spring on Friday, March 20, according to NASA, which is a little over six weeks from when the ole' groundhog emerged on Monday, Feb. 2.

Phil, and many other forecasting groundhogs, aren't known for being particularly accurate. But if you are eager for spring to arrive, here's what to know.

What is the spring equinox?

The spring equinox marks the first day of astronomical spring.

It occurs when the sun shines directly on the Earth's equator. At this time, the Northern Hemisphere is not tilting toward or away from the Sun, giving us nearly equal amounts of day and night, according to the Smithsonian's Science Education Center.

While the Northern Hemisphere will be moving into spring at the March equinox, the Southern Hemisphere will head into fall.

Countdown to spring

What if the groundhog sees his shadow?

Legend has it that if Punxsutawney Phil or any of the other weather-forecasting groundhogs see their shadows, we will see more winter. But if the groundhog does not see its shadow, then the northern hemisphere will get to enjoy an early spring.

What does a groundhog have to do with spring?

The tradition of choosing a groundhog to predict when the seasons will change has been around for hundreds of years.

The holiday stems from centuries-old Pagan and Christian traditions, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The day is also known as St. Brigid’s Day.

German settlers brought the tradition to America, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Before making the trek, they checked to see if a hedgehog − not a groundhog − saw its shadow.

When the settlers came to America, there were no hedgehogs in sight. So, they resorted to using groundhogs instead.

In 1886, Groundhog Day was acknowledged for the first time in Punxsutawney by a local newspaper called the Weathers Wags, according to the club. In 1887, the first official pilgrimage to see Phil on Gobbler’s Knob was made.

The tradition eventually evolved into the celebration we know today.

What are real weather forecasters predicting for 2026?

Phil and other woodland critters aside, what do real weather forecasters think?

Professional forecasters say that a frigid February is likely for the eastern half of the nation, while the West enjoys overall mild to warm weather for the immediate future. Thus, if you're looking for an early spring, head West!

Americans should remember that Groundhog Day is just some mid-winter fun and climate records say that winter probably isn't over, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Weatherwise, the three coldest months of the year are December, January and February (also known as "meteorological winter"), so winter typically still has a ways to go when the groundhog comes out on Feb. 2.

Contributing: Melina Khan, Doyle Rice

Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected].