What is the significance of Groundhog Day?
CHICOPEE, Mass.(WWLP)– Groundhog Day is this weekend and on Sunday, Punxsutawney Phil will make his unofficial prediction on whether winter will continue or if spring will come early.
But, just how accurate has the groundhog been over the years? The movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray is definitely a fan favorite but not everybody is a fan of the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil and his annual prediction.
PHOTOS: Eagle landing in Sunderland backyard
Groundhog Day began as a German Pennsylvania custom in the 18th and 19 centuries but has its origins in ancient Europe. People supposedly watched hedgehogs or badgers to see if they saw their shadows on Candlemas Day, celebrated each February 2nd.
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania held its first official Groundhog Day on February 2, 1887. And, according to folklore, if Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his hole and sees his shadow it frightens him and he goes back down into it, meaning six more weeks of winter. If he comes out and doesn't see his shadow, he stays out and spring weather will arrive early.
According to the National Weather Service, over the last 10 years Phil's prediction has been right 30 percent of the time. Last year he was right, he didn't see his shadow and we experienced spring-like temperatures in February and March ahead of the official start of spring on March 19th.
Sunday is Groundhog's Day and as weather forecasters we don't put much into the groundhog's prediction. And we can likely count on seeing more winter weather next month despite what Punxsutawney Phil predicts.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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