Groundhog Day to begin with snow as Punxsutawney Phil predicts fate of winter

February 3, 2018 9:41 AM | Skymet Weather Team

February 2, 2018 marks the 132nd Groundhog Day. The weather predicted by Punxsutawney Phil has not always been accurate. However, this makes no difference to people who tune in to get the critter's annual forecast. The Punxsutawney website insists there has only ever been one Phil—throughout all 132 Groundhog Day ceremonies which dates back to 1886.

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Talking about the event, it starts with a group of men—the Punxsutawney groundhog club inner circle—gathering at gobbler's knob in their signature tuxedos and top hats. They'll help Phil mount his tree stump, then, the inner circle president whispers to the groundhog in "Groundhogese." Phil will tell them whether or not he's seen his shadow. If he does, it means at least six more weeks of winter.

However, if people can make it down to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania—located about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh—they can watch the groundhog do his thing via live stream at 6 a.m. ET.

Talking about the weather, Groundhog Day will start off with brief snow over the region. Temperatures will remain in the upper 30s and will rise as no snow accumulation is likely for most of the region. Early morning hours may be a little problematic for people to go out on the roads and a messy travel day will be seen throughout the Philadelphia region and South Jersey.

Although, the day will start off with a little bit of snow, especially in Lehigh valley, Berks County but the atmosphere is going to be warming up big-time.

Since this strange holiday only comes once a year so no matter what Phil predicts, here’s to inevitably experiencing six more weeks of winter, no matter what Phil predicts - Happy Groundhog Day.

Image Credits - Odyssey

Any information taken from here should be credited to skymetweather.com

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