It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks; but if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.
And according to the men in the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, he did not see his shadow. No shadow indicates that the club thinks the U.S. is in for an early spring. And this year, the chubby groundhog has weather-science on his side, as meteorologists say an early spring is likely.
According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, it gets scared and runs back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter weather; no shadow means an early spring.
Turns out his track record for weather prediction isn't 100% … or even 50%. Since 1887, Phil and his predecessors have seen their shadow 104 times, and not seen it only 19 times. According to the Stormfax Almanac, which has been tracking Phil's predictions since 1887, Phil has been correct only 39% of the time.
Activity: Groundhogs are diurnal (active during the day) from spring to fall. Most activity occurs during the early morning and early evening hours, at which groundhogs emerge from their burrows to gather food.
The newborn groundhog arrives blind and hairless, yet can mature enough in only three months to leave home in search of a site for its own burrow. When mating season is over in March or April, groundhogs return to being solitary creatures. In fact, they are never known to travel in groups or as families.
Data from the Stormfax Almanac's data shows that Phil's six-week prognostications have been correct about 39 percent of the time. That's a 50 percent accuracy rate. So you'll be better off flipping a coin than going by the groundhog's predictions."
General Beauregard Lee emerged from his house at 101 Whistle Pig Way and saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter.
Groundhog Day factsPunxsutawney Phil, Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog, awoke this morning and did not see his shadow which means that -- according to legend -- an early spring is on the way.
Groundhog Day occurs on February 2 every year and coincides with astronomy's cross-quarter day, marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox.
MARION, Ohio -- On Sunday morning, Buckeye Chuck predicted an early arrival for spring this year, as the famed groundhog did not see his shadow. Buckeye Chuck emerged from his winter burrow in Marion for Groundhog Day.
As the seasons change so do our shadows. Because of winter itself, or rather, the Earth's position related to the sun changing as we all experience through seasons. As the Earth rotates on its axis, the tilt of our rotation brings the northern and southern poles closer and farther from the sun.
Members of the squirrel family, groundhogs are squarish, stocky animals that typically weigh between 4 and 14 pounds. The have short, strong legs; coarse, grizzled, gray-brown fur; small ears; a short, bushy tail; and curved claws. Groundhogs look a bit like runaway fur coats as they waddle back to their burrows.
Geography: Groundhogs are found from the eastern and central United States northward across Canada and into Alaska. Lifespan: In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years with two or three being average. In captivity, groundhogs reportedly live up to 14 years.
The prognostication celebration starts at 3 a.m. EST Sunday at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney. Phil makes his prediction around 7:25 a.m.
If you're unfamiliar with the tradition, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, it means he predicts six more weeks of winter. If Phil can't see his shadow, it means he predicts an early spring.
America's foremost weather forecasting groundhog, a superstar in meteorological circles, officially works one day a year: February 2nd. The other 364 days he spends in "Phil's Burrow" (previously called "Groundhog Zoo") a warm terrarium built into the Punxsutawney library.
pŭngk's?-tô'nē Filters. A city of west-central Pennsylvania northeast of Pittsburgh. It is an industrial center noted for its annual observance of Groundhog Day, February 2.
“Groundhog Day” is currently not streaming on Netflix, but here's a guide to other sites where you can stream the film. Viewers can rent the movie on Amazon for $3.99, or purchase it for $14.99. Hulu TV will also stream the movie. Click here to get it on Hulu.
Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray is available to stream on Hulu, but you'll need a Showtime subscription to watch the film.
Unfortunately, Groundhog Day is not available to watch via Amazon Prime. While you can't watch the movie for free on Amazon Prime, you can watch the movie on Amazon Instant. You can rent Groundhog Day for $3.99 or buy it for $7.99 on Amazon.
One of the most popular landmarks in Punxsutawney and in Western PA is Gobbler's Knob. It is the site of the annual Groundhog Day celebration and where Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction every February 2nd.
And a new quirky romantic comedy is coming next month, starring Saturday Night Live alum Andy Samberg. Titled Palm Springs, the upcoming movie is a modern take on Groundhog Day, with an even more existential message. And the movie's first trailer just arrived.
