February 3, 2024 - In Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania, at the crack of dawn on Friday morning, the nation's most famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow — meaning an early spring, according to longstanding folklore.
In 2023, Phil "predicted" a longer winter and shorter spring when official observers declared he did see his shadow.
But did he get it right? Find out more about how different parts of the country fared last year.
![GroundhogDayInfographic2024](/sierrasuntimes/images/2024/february/GroundhogDayInfographic2024.jpg)
Infographic showing an illustrated groundhog with a table showing the spring predictions made by “Punxsutawney Phil” versus U.S. temperature departures from average from the NOAA U.S. Climate report from 2014-2023. (Image credit: NOAA/NCEI)
As Phil surely knows, accurate seasonal forecasting is hard work.
- See how the groundhog has scored against the U.S. temperature record.
- Visit Punxsutawney Phil's official websiteoffsite link for the history behind this much-anticipated yearly ritual.
Happy Groundhog Day to all!
Source: NOAA