Laura Moore
Jan 29, 2024 - 08:05

Groundhog Day 2024: When does the groundhog come out? Key things to know

Groundhog Day is a classic movie that has made the holiday more popular, but Punxsutawney Phil's predictions are not reliable.

Groundhog Day is a beloved American tradition that has gained widespread popularity due to the 1993 film of the same name. The movie, featuring Bill Murray, brought attention to the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and its annual Groundhog Day celebration. Following the film's release, the town saw a significant increase in tourism, with numbers rising from 15,000-30,000 to 35,000 visitors.

On February 2, 2024, Americans will once again tune in to see Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, make his prediction. The festivities take place at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, where the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club hosts a variety of events leading up to and following the prediction.

The tradition of Groundhog Day has its roots in the Christian holiday Candlemas, which marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox. The first official Groundhog Day took place in 1887, with Punxsutawney Phil being declared the true predictor of the changing seasons.

Despite its popularity, the accuracy of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions has been called into question. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the groundhog has no predictive skill and has only been right about 40% of the time. As an alternative, NOAA's seasonal temperature outlook provides more reliable weather predictions.

In 2024, NOAA predicts above-normal temperatures in February, March, and April for the northernmost states, particularly in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Conversely, most of Texas is expected to experience below-average temperatures, with warm-weather predictions attributed to the natural climate pattern El Niño.

Groundhog Day may be a lighthearted tradition, but it serves as a reminder of the changing seasons and the anticipation of spring. Despite its questionable accuracy, the celebration at Gobbler's Knob continues to draw crowds of eager spectators each year.