What is the groundhog’s name for groundhog day?

On 2nd February, in a small Pennsylvania town, Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog, will emerge from his slumber to cast his prediction on whether spring is here or if there will be six more weeks of winter.

The tradition, which dates back to 1886, will be streamed live for all those who could not make the trip to Pennsylvania.

As groundhogs cannot communicate their ideas directly, the interaction is mediated by the President of the Groundhog Club, a trusted member of Punxsutawney Phil’s ‘Inner Circle.’

The ‘Inner Circle’ is described as the “group of local dignitaries responsible for carrying on the tradition of Groundhog Day every year.” In addition to hosting, they also are “responsible for the feeding and care of Phil himself.”

Should Phil emerge from his hole tomorrow and see his shadow, “he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole.” However, if there are clouds in the sky that block a potential shadow, “he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.”

Read more on Groundhog Day: What is the history and origin of Groundhog Day?

How did the groundhog get his name?

Punxsutawney Phil is named after Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where the ceremony occurs.

How accurate are the Punxsutawney Phil’s readings?

Well, it depends on who you ask.

According to the Groundhog Club, Phil’s readings are one hundred percent accurate, but sometimes the President fails to interpret the correct result...human error is to blame not Phil.

For the past few years, the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration has released a report to evaluate Phil’s predictions. Over the last ten years. “Phil has gotten it right 40% of the time” when comparing “U.S. national temperatures with Phil’s forecasts.”

As Pennsylvania tends to experience fairly cold winters, Phil has tended to predict longer winters over the years. Since 1886, he has seen his shadow 103 times.