Did Phil the groundhog see his shadow? This is his prediction for 2024
Across the United States hibernating oracles are awoken from their slumber to foretell the coming of spring on Groundhog Day. Here’s Puxsy Phil’s forecast…
It’s Groundhog Day 2024 and the nation turned its gaze to the most famous weather forecaster in the land. As has been done every 2 February as far back as at least 1886, Punxsutawney Phil was brought out of his burrow this morning on a cold cloudy day in western Pennsylvania to foretell when spring will arrive.
The morning air had a chill in it with temperatures below 40 but it felt like freezing. There was no sunshine to bring a little warmth to the thousands that made the trek to Gobbler’s Knob where the furry oracle shares his prediction on winter’s end.
How does Groundhog Day work?
For centuries, communities across North America have continued a tradition brought over from Europe to predict when the wintery weather will end. Typically around this date, Groundhogs come out of their burrows for a look around and how they react, according to the folkloric tradition, will predict how much longer winter will linger around.
Once the marmot, a large rodent of the squirrel family, awakens from hibernation, it will emerge from its burrow and its behavior will determine the weather forecast.
If when leaving the burrow the animal manages to see its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If the groundhog doesn't see its shadow, then winter will be over soon. If the groundhog sees its shadow, it will return back to the burrow, otherwise it will abandon it.
The most famous groundhog in the United States is Phil from Punxsutawney. However, there are other marmots throughout the country that also predict the arrival of spring; like General Beauregard Lee from Georgia or Buckeye Chuck from Ohio.
You may also be interested in: What is the history and origin of Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day: Did Phil Groundhog See His Shadow? This is his prediction for 2024
On the morning of 2 February 2024, thousands of people gathered on Gobbler’s Knob in the western Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney, where members of the Groundhog Club are in charge of getting Phil, the star of the day, out of his burrow to find out the weather forecast.
After whispering his prognostication to the Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, its president shared the mystical foresight of the legendary critter.
Those who desire an early arrival of warmer weather will be glad to know that Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow auguring an early arrival of springtime.
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