Groundhog Day: Spring Arrives Early!

news image
Special Stories
3 Feb 2024 11:25 PM

Friday was Groundhog Day, when Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his winter burrow and tried his hand at forecasting. To remind you, during sunny weather Phil sees his shadow and gets "spooked", heading back into his den and we will see 6 more weeks of winter. If it is cloudy and Phil doesn't see his shadow, it means "Spring is here"!



As of 7:25 a.m. ET Friday, Phil did not see his shadow, signifying spring will arrive early! Conditions were mostly cloudy and dry in Punxsutawney, although lights from the cameras and stage certainly appeared to make a shadow under Phil. Historically Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow 106 times, about 5 times more than times he hasn't seen his shadow. All of the lights, cameras, and people could have something to do with that ...

Phil isn't all that accurate, with only about a 40% accuracy rating over the last 100+ years. Of the past 10 years, Phil has only been accurate about 30% of the time, in 2020, 2016, and 2014.

The history of Groundhog's Day started in Europe before German settlers brought the custom to Pennsylvania. The first GroundHog Day was in 1887, making this year the 137th event! Fun fact: did you know Phil is about 20lbs and 22" long?

All Weather News
More
Rare Winter Storm Threatens Over 130 Million

Rare Winter Storm Threatens Over 130 Million

A rare winter storm is expected to impac

23 Jan 2026 8:00 PM
Dangerously Cold Temps Spill Into the Lower 48 Late This Week

Dangerously Cold Temps Spill Into the Lower 48 Late This Week

During the winter months, many of us are no s

23 Jan 2026 7:15 PM
Rain and Snow Return to the Southwest

Rain and Snow Return to the Southwest

For much of this winter season, the Southwest

23 Jan 2026 7:00 PM
Snow Continues for the Great Lakes, Northeast

Snow Continues for the Great Lakes, Northeast

A high pressure center has moved in across th

23 Jan 2026 11:15 AM
Cold Stuns Iguanas as Another Cold Snap Reaches South Florida

Cold Stuns Iguanas as Another Cold Snap Reaches South Florida

Sub-freezing temperatures made their way into

20 Jan 2026 10:30 AM
Dangerous Cold follows Weekend Blizzard Conditions in the Northern Plains

Dangerous Cold follows Weekend Blizzard Conditions in the Northern Plains

MONDAY AM UPDATE: WEEKEND SNOW TOTALS: MERCER

19 Jan 2026 11:00 AM
Snow Totals from the Weekend Snow that Targeted I-95 From Virginia through New England

Snow Totals from the Weekend Snow that Targeted I-95 From Virginia through New England

MONDAY AM UPDATE: WInter Weather advisories a

19 Jan 2026 9:10 AM