Will Phil and Hope see their shadows? What to know about the weather predicting groundhogs
It is almost time to discover if we are to endure six more weeks of grueling winter weather or if we will be lucky and see an early spring, and the fate of our weather outcomes is in the hands of a famous furry rodent that lives in a hole in Pennsylvania.
That's right, Groundhog Day is just around the corner, so here is everything you need to know about the tradition and how to celebrate.
Groundhog Day: While you wait for a large rodent to give you a weather forecast, here's how to watch the movie
When is Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is observed in the U.S. and Canada on Feb. 2 every year and falls on a Friday in 2024.
Why do we celebrate Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is more than just a classic movie starring Bill Murray, it is most well known for being the day where a famous groundhog located in Punxatawney, Pennsylvania, predicts the end of winter by seeing (or not seeing) his own shadow.
There are two outcomes:
The Groundhog sees his shadow: If the groundhog emerges from his hole and sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of wintry weather.
The Groundhog sees no shadow: If he emerges from his burrow and does NOT see his shadow, then early spring weather is right around the corner.
Perhaps the most famous groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil. He is known as "Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather-Prophet Extraordinary.”
More: While you wait for a large rodent to give you a weather forecast, here's how to watch the movie
Will the groundhog see his shadow this year?
Many Hoosiers are probably ready for what has felt like an endless winter to come to an end, and we might just be in luck.
According to the Farmer's Almanac, they expect to see cloudy skies on Feb. 2, which means that Punxsutawney Phil will not see his shadow and will predict an early spring.
You are able to watch the livestream for this event on Visit Pennsylvania's website on Groundhog Day at visitpa.com/live-stream-phils-prediction.
What's happening in Indiana for Groundhog Day 2024?
The town of Hope, Indiana, has its own special way to celebrate Groundhog Day, and that is with their own weather-predicting groundhog.
The town will gather at the town square to see what their groundhog, named Hope (the successor of Grubby the Groundhog), predicts for the coming weeks.
Main Street of Hope and Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators' 11th annual Groundhog Day event will take place at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2.
Katie Wiseman is a trending and breaking news intern at IndyStar. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Groundhog Day is on the way. This small Indiana town has its own critter
