Are we in for a long winter? Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast is in, and hopefully he’s correct.
Thousands gathered in Punxsutawney, the state of Pennsylvania, to watch Phil’s Groundhog Day forecast. The famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil and Gobbler’s Knob were preparing for the big event this year, which fell on the first Friday of February.
Punxsutawney Phil is going to look about, and if he sees his shadow, we may be in for another six weeks of winter, but if not, spring will arrive sooner.
Here’s when it is and how we got to have Groundhog Day.
When is Groundhog Day in the year 2024?
Groundhog Day occurs on Friday, February 2, 2024.
Although it is not an administration holiday, people in the USA watch to see if Phil, or their own local groundhog celebrity, casts his shadow on the same day each year, February 2. If he sees his shadow, he forecasts further six weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, expect an early spring.
Did Punxsutawney Phil notice his shadow?
Chants of “Phil! Phil! Phil!” flooded the air in Pennsylvania on Friday, February 2, 2024, just minutes before the groundhog appeared to foretell whether we’d have six more weeks of winter or an early spring.
In the US tradition of Groundhog Day, the nation’s most well-known groundhog predicts the upcoming season.
The largest celebration takes place in Pennsylvania. Every year in Punxsutawney, the state of Pennsylvania, Gobbler’s Knob becomes a hub of activity for people wondering if winter will extend a few more weeks. The event is free, and fans can enter the grounds beginning at 3 a.m. ET. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club celebrates with talent shows, meals, and performances either before or after the prediction.
When did Groundhog Day originally occur?
The first Groundhog Day happened on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, the state of Pennsylvania, according to History.com.
The ritual dates back to the historic Christian tradition of Candlemas, which is when clerics blessed and distributed winter candles. The candles symbolized how long and cold the winter would be.
How frequently does Punxsutawney Phil get it right?
While groundhog predictions might be interesting, they are rarely accurate.
Punxsutawney Phil has been correct 39% of the time since the practice began in 1887, according to the Storm fax Weather Almanac. Phil has seen his shadow 107 times (84%) and forecast a lengthier winter. USA Today tabulated all of his results from 1887:
- Saw shadow (six more weeks of winter): 107
- No shadow (early spring): 19
- Partial shadow: 1
- No record: 10
- Did not appear: 1