Current:Home > StocksDid the groundhog see his shadow? See results of Punxsutawney Phil's 2024 winter forecast -Finovate
Did the groundhog see his shadow? See results of Punxsutawney Phil's 2024 winter forecast
View
Date:2025-04-14 20:11:54
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! (8)
Related
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- ‘Totally cold’ is not too cold for winter swimmers competing in a frozen Vermont lake
- Louisiana advances a bill expanding death penalty methods in an effort to resume executions
- Illinois judge who reversed rape conviction removed from bench after panel finds he circumvented law
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- So many sanctions on Russia. How much impact do they really have?
- Facing backlash over IVF ruling, Alabama lawmakers look for a fix
- Lucky the horse lives up to name after being rescued from Los Angeles sinkhole
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Death of beloved New York City owl, Flaco, in apparent building collision devastates legions of fans
Ranking
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Kelly Ripa's Nutritionist Doesn't Want You to Give Up the Foods You Love
- How Portugal eased its opioid epidemic, while U.S. drug deaths skyrocketed
- Google strikes $60 million deal with Reddit, allowing search giant to train AI models on human posts
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- The Second City, named for its Chicago location, opens an outpost in New York
- Hey Fox News: The gold Trump sneakers are ugly. And they won't sway the Black vote.
- NCAA President Charlie Baker addresses future of federal legislation, antitrust exemption
Recommendation
Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
Man charged with killing Indianapolis police officer found guilty but mentally ill
Watch this missing cat come wandering home
Kayakers paddle in Death Valley after rains replenish lake in one of Earth’s driest spots
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
Vanessa Hudgens, Cole Tucker & More Couples Who Proved Love Is the Real Prize at the SAG Awards
Georgia bill aims to protect religious liberty. Opponents say it’s a license to discriminate
Don't screw it up WWE: Women's championship matches need to main event WrestleMania 40