Friday is Groundhog Day, the day in which the groundhog comes out to see whether it sees its shadow. A sunny day on Groundhog Day can mean a shadow sighting with six more weeks of winter, while a cloudy day might mean the groundhog doesn’t see a shadow, heralding an early spring.
So what will the weather be like on Groundhog Day?
The National Weather Service predicts an overcast day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where the most famous groundhog — Punxsutawney Phil — offers a weather forecast.
That means an “early spring” prediction could be likely.
“A chance of rain and snow showers before 7 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41,” the Weather Service predicts for Punxsutawney.
Sky cover for Friday ranges from 80% to 90% on Groundhog Day morning, when the prediction is made — poor conditions for seeing a shadow.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts has its own groundhog, named Ms. G, who hasn’t been shy about making contrary predictions from her more famous Pennsylvania counterpart.
In 2023, Ms. G predicted an early spring despite Punxsutawney Phil saying it would be six more weeks of winter. The results were somewhat inconclusive, with warm-springlike weather for most of February and March followed by an intense late-winter nor’easter that dropped 2 feet of snow on parts of Massachusetts on March 14.
Massachusetts weather this year, however, is set up for more agreement between the two rodents. Overcast skies are also predicted in Massachusetts across the state on Friday morning.
The National Weather Service predicts heavy sky cover on Groundhog Day across the state. That’s good news for people hoping the state’s groundhog doesn’t see her shadow. (National Weather Service graphic)National Weather Service graphic
Between 80% to 90% cloud cover is expected on Friday morning in Massachusetts, which should make it challenging for Ms. G to see her shadow.
As if to underline the point, the weekend immediately following Groundhog Day will be sunny in Massachusetts, the Weather Service said.
People can watch a livestream of Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction here starting at 6 a.m. on Friday. Ms. G’s prediction at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm at 208 S. Great Road, Lincoln, Mass., will begin at 10 a.m. Mass Audubon says people can tune into their Facebook and Instagram accounts throughout the day to learn about groundhogs.
