Every year, we rely on an expert groundhog to search for its shadow and make a prediction about whether there will be six more weeks of winter or an early spring. This groundhog is none other than Punxsutawney Phil.
USA TODAY provided live coverage of the Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, which began after 6 a.m. ET. It was during this event that Punxsutawney Phil made his annual prediction. You can watch the video embedded at the top of the page or visit USA TODAY’s YouTube channel to view it.
For the year 2024, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, leading him to predict that an early spring is on its way.
Punxsutawney Phil has been forecasting the weather at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney since 1887. This tradition is derived from the Christian holiday known as Candlemas Day and Pennsylvania Dutch customs.
Groundhog Day is celebrated every February 2nd, which coincides with Candlemas. Many of the holiday’s traditions find their roots in this day.
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According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Candlemas was traditionally associated with the anticipation of planting crops, and the presence of sunlight on this day was believed to indicate a longer winter.
In Europe, people would traditionally rely on bears or badgers to look for signs of winter’s end.