Current:Home > InvestDid the groundhog see his shadow? See results of Punxsutawney Phil's 2024 winter forecast -ValueCore
Did the groundhog see his shadow? See results of Punxsutawney Phil's 2024 winter forecast
View
Date:2025-04-14 09:34:03
It's official: spring is right around the corner.
Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow in front of thousands of spectators Friday morning at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, part of the annual Groundhog Day tradition celebrated in the U.S. and Canada. That means, according to the legend, we're in for an early spring.
This marks the first time since 2020 that Phil predicted an early spring, and the 21st time since records were kept.
If you look at the data, Punxsutawney Phil has a record of seeing his shadow more often than not. Prior to 2024, the groundhog had seen his shadow 107 times and not seen his shadow 20 times, according to the York Daily Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. There were a few years in the late 1800s where there was no record of his forecast, and 1943 was the only year he did not make an appearance.
While Punxsutawney Phil may be arguably the most famous groundhog around, he is not the only critter making a weather forecast today. There's also Buckeye Chuck in Ohio, General Beauregard Lee in Georgia and Staten Island Chuck in New York, who all emerged from burrows Friday morning to predict either the continuing winter or coming spring.
Here's what to know about Punxsutawney Phil.
How accurate is Punxsutawney Phil?His Groundhog Day predictions aren't great, data shows.
What has Phil predicted in the past?See his full forecast record dating back to the 1800s
Why do we celebrate Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is celebrated every February 2, the same day as Candlemas, where some of the holiday's traditions originate.
Candlemas was traditionally aligned with the anticipation of planting crops, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, and seeing sunshine on the day was said to indicate winter's return.
In Europe, people traditionally looked to bears or badgers to look for the sign of returning winter or coming spring, but when German immigrants arrived in Pennsylvania, they instead used groundhogs to make the forecast instead.
Since 1993's "Groundhog Day" movie starring Bill Murray, visitPA says more than 30,000 people travel to Punxsutawney each year to see Punxsutawney Phil's prediction.
What did Punxsutawney Phil say in 2023?
Last year, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow, saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter, a forecast in line with his predictions from the last two years.
Watch the 2024 Groundhog Day replay from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
veryGood! (1)
Related
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- The brewing recovery in Western North Carolina
- Save 30% on the Perfect Spongelle Holiday Gifts That Make Every Day a Spa Day
- The Sundance Film Festival unveils its lineup including Jennifer Lopez, Questlove and more
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- New Jersey targets plastic packaging that fills landfills and pollutes
- US inflation likely edged up last month, though not enough to deter another Fed rate cut
- Albertsons gives up on Kroger merger and sues the grocery chain for failing to secure deal
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Google forges ahead with its next generation of AI technology while fending off a breakup threat
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- 'Mary': How to stream, what biblical experts think about Netflix's new coming
- I loved to hate pop music, until Chappell Roan dragged me back
- When is the 'Survivor' Season 47 finale? Here's who's left; how to watch and stream part one
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Turning dusty attic treasures into cash can yield millions for some and disappointment for others
- 'Maria' review: Angelina Jolie sings but Maria Callas biopic doesn't soar
- Are you tipping your mail carrier? How much do Americans tip during the holidays?
Recommendation
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
Amazon's Thank My Driver feature returns: How to give a free $5 tip after delivery
Trump taps immigration hard
Syrian rebel leader says he will dissolve toppled regime forces, close prisons
San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
Are you tipping your mail carrier? How much do Americans tip during the holidays?
Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
Trump taps immigration hard