See how the groundhog became a symbol for predicting seasonal changes in America, rooted in German folklore with a badger — which in turn lead to Groundhog Day. Livescience.com gives Phil's predictions a 36% accuracy rate, which makes the holiday more of a fun tradition rather than a factual forecast. Here is a rundown of the history of Punxsutawney Phil In 1998 Groundhog Day was first broadcast live worldwide via the internet. In 2001, Phil’s prediction was shown live on the JumboTron at Times Square in New York City. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell attended the ceremonies, making him the first sitting governor ever to do so. Every Feb. 2, the most famous groundhog in the world has his moment in the spotlight. Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the weather at Gobbler's Knob in western Pennsylvania since 1887. As for 2025, the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction center is forecasting above average temperatures across the southern part of the country in the week after Groundhog Day, while average and slightly colder than average temperatures will stick around for the northern tier. February is also bringing a weather pattern change. Groundhog Day Forecast 2025: Will Punxsutawney Phil See His Shadow And How Accurate Is The Rodent? But, history shows a shadow sighting and six more weeks of winter is the more likely outcome. All results for yearly Groundhog Day predictions. Recorded predictions go back to 1886. All predictions; Year Prediction Spring : Winter Consensus (%) Total predictions; In Punxsutawney, 1886 marked the first time Groundhog Day appeared in the newspaper, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The following year brought the first official trek to Gobbler's Knob. The Groundhog Day tradition came to North America from German settlers in Pennsylvania. The celebration dates back to Candlemas Day , a Christian holiday observed on February 2nd. Every Feb. 2, the world's most famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil rises from its burrow in Pennsylvania for Groundhog Day to give the prediction on what type of weather the U.S. could expect to Groundhog Day history Big picture view: Groundhog Day traces its roots to ancient Celtic traditions, where Imbolc marked the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Groundhog handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil after he saw his shadow predicting six more weeks of winter during 128th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Feb. 2, 2014, in Punxsutawney Groundhog handler AJ Derume holds Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow, predicting late spring during the 136th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Feb. 2, 2022, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. SEE MORE: Could weather affect General Beauregard Lee's prediction? Groundhog Day history. Big picture view: Groundhog Day traces its roots to ancient Celtic traditions, where Imbolc marked the Groundhog handler AJ Derume holds Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow, predicting late spring during the 136th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Feb. 2, 2022, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The Stormfax Almanac has made note of the weather conditions on each Groundhog Day since 1999; the almanac has recorded 12 incidents in a 20-year span in which the Inner Circle said the groundhog saw his shadow while the sky was cloudy or there was rain or snow coming down, and in one case said the groundhog did not see his shadow despite Groundhog Day weather forecast for Georgia. Groundhog Day history. Big picture view. Groundhog Day traces its roots to ancient Celtic traditions, where Imbolc marked the midway point between Will the Groundhog See His Shadow in 2025? According to our weather predictions, February 2, 2025, will bring snow showers and cold weather. We think that when Punxsutawney Phil—that Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Weather Prognosticator Extraordinary— emerges from his burrow (with a little help from his handlers) to make his much-anticipated forecast, he will NOT see his shadow, which Groundhog Day history Big picture view: Groundhog Day traces its roots to ancient Celtic traditions, where Imbolc marked the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Groundhog Day history Big picture view Groundhog Day traces its roots to ancient Celtic traditions, where Imbolc marked the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
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