What time does the groundhog come out? Details about Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil

Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times
Updated ·3 min read
2

It's confirmed: spring is almost here.

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow in front of thousands of spectators Friday morning at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, part of the annual Groundhog Day tradition celebrated in the U.S. and Canada. That means, according to the legend, we're in for an early spring.

This marks the first time since 2020 that Phil predicted an early spring and the 21st time since records were kept.

Here is what you need to know about Groundhog Day.

Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.
Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

Groundhog Day video

USA TODAY is providing live coverage of Groundhog Day events from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania starting after 4 a.m. MT, where Punxsutawney Phil will make his prediction.

When is Groundhog Day 2024?

Groundhog Day is on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. Though not a federal holiday, Americans tune in to see if the famed groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow every year on the same day, Feb. 2.

The festivities take place at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The celebration is free to attend and spectators enter the grounds starting around 3 a.m. The celebration includes talent shows, performances and other activities leading up to the prediction.

More: When is the Chinese New Year 2024? Details to know about Year of the Dragon, zodiac dates

Groundhog Day prediction

Groundhog Day 2024 was celebrated at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with the Inner Circle beginning their march to Gobbler's Knob at 5:15 a.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 2.

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow in front of thousands of spectators Friday morning at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, part of the annual Groundhog Day tradition celebrated in the U.S. and Canada.

How old is Phil the Groundhog?

According to the club that cares for him, Phil has been making predictions since 1886, which would make him 138. The site also says Punxsutawney Phil gets "longevity from drinking the elixir of life, a secret recipe."

Most groundhogs live up to 14 years.

Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil on Feb. 2, 2023 during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. PETA is hoping to replace the weather-predicting groundhog with a giant gold coin.
Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil on Feb. 2, 2023 during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. PETA is hoping to replace the weather-predicting groundhog with a giant gold coin.

How accurate is Groundhog Day?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the groundhog has "no predictive skill." He's only gotten it right about 40% of the time.

Groundhog shadow meaning

In the American tradition of Groundhog Day, the nation's most well-known groundhog takes a stance on the season ahead. If he sees his shadow, he predicts six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, it's a forecast of an early spring.

FILE - Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 136th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Feb. 2, 2022. On Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, people will once again gather at Gobbler’s Knob as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summon him from his tree stump at dawn to learn if he has seen his shadow. According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not, spring comes early. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File) ORG XMIT: NYSS316

Groundhog Day explained

Groundhog Day's roots are in the Christian holiday Candlemas, the midway between the winter solstice and spring equinox. During Candlemas, Christians honored the changing of the seasons and lit candles to predict how long winter would last, according to www.groundhog.org

The first official Groundhog Day happened on Feb. 2, 1887, in the same town it takes place today. The holiday made a permanent home at Gobbler's Knob the following year. According to History.com, a newspaper editor and groundhog hunter declared Phil, a groundhog from Punxsutawney, the true predictor.

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok. USAToday contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Groundhog Day 2024: Punxsutawney Phil predicts first day of spring