Groundhog Gathering: Phil Predicts Early Spring in 2024

It’s Official: Spring is on the way

In front of a lively crowd at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil didn’t catch a glimpse of his shadow during the annual Groundhog Day celebration. According to the cherished tradition in the U.S. and Canada, this signifies an early spring.

This year’s prediction breaks the trend since 2020, marking the 21st instance of Phil foreseeing an early spring since record-keeping began. Historical data reveals that Phil has typically seen his shadow more often, doing so 107 times and not seeing it 20 times before 2024, as the York Daily Record reported.

While Punxsutawney Phil holds the spotlight, he’s not the only furry forecaster on the scene. Buckeye Chuck in Ohio, General Beauregard Lee in Georgia, and Staten Island Chuck in New York also emerged from their burrows on Friday to share their predictions on whether winter will linger or spring is just around the corner.

Here are the key details about Punxsutawney Phil.

What is Punxsutawney Phil?

Punxsutawney Phil is a groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, known for its role in the annual Groundhog Day celebration. According to tradition, if Phil sees his shadow on February 2nd, it predicts six more weeks of winter weather; if not, it signifies an early spring. The event, rooted in folklore, has gained widespread attention and has become a cultural phenomenon in the United States and Canada.

How old is Punxsutawney Phil 2024?

Punxsutawney Phil, a symbolic figure representing a groundhog used in the annual Groundhog Day tradition, doesn’t have a specific age. Each year, a new Punxsutawney Phil is said to take on the role of weather prognosticator. As of 2024, the Groundhog Day tradition is over 135 years old. The first official celebration in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, took place in 1887. The tradition has continued since then, making it a well-established and long-standing cultural event in the United States.

What did Punxsutawney Phil convey in 2023?

In 2023, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow, spotted his shadow, and forecasted an additional six weeks of winter, aligning with his predictions from the two preceding years.