Groundhog Day 2024: Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions since 2000

Punxsutawney Phil, the famed groundhog from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, has been making weather predictions every 2 February since the late 19th century. While his predictions are rooted in folklore and tradition, many curious onlookers eagerly await Phil’s emergence from his burrow to see if he will predict an early spring or six more weeks of winter.

On the morning of 2 February, a group of handlers, known as the Inner Circle, gathers at Gobbler’s Knob, a location near Punxsutawney. If Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, sees his shadow when he emerges, it is believed that there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, it is interpreted as an indication of an early spring.

Since the turn of the century, Punxsutawney Phil has made 22 predictions, offering a mix of early springs and prolonged winters. Out of these predictions, Phil has forecasted an early spring six times and predicted six more weeks of winter on the remaining 16 occasions.

While Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions are meant to be taken in good fun, his accuracy rate is modest at best. According to weather data analysis, Phil’s predictions have been correct around 40% of the time since 2000.

Despite the less-than-stellar accuracy of Phil’s predictions, the Groundhog Day festivities continue to captivate audiences. The annual tradition has become a cultural phenomenon, attracting visitors to Punxsutawney for the lively celebration. Phil’s popularity has transcended his role as a weather predictor,