Friday is Groundhog Day, the day the groundhog comes out to see if he sees his shadow. A sunny day on Groundhog Day could mean seeing shade with six more weeks of winter, while a cloudy day could mean the groundhog sees no shadow, heralding the arrival of an early spring.
So what will the weather be like on Groundhog Day?
The National Weather Service is predicting an overcast day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, as the most famous groundhog – Punxsutawney Phil – provides the weather forecast.
This means that an “early spring” forecast may be possible.
“A chance of rain and snow showers before 7 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41 degrees,” the Punxsutawney Weather Service forecasts.
Friday's sky cover ranges from 80% to 90% on the morning of Groundhog Day, when the prediction is made – poor conditions for seeing the shadow.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts has its own groundhog, named Mrs. G, who isn't shy about making opposite predictions from her more famous counterpart in Pennsylvania.
In 2023, Ms. Gee forecasts early spring although Punxsutawney Phil says there will be six more weeks of winter. The results were somewhat inconclusive, with warm spring weather for much of February and March, followed by extreme late-winter cold that dropped two feet of snow on parts of Massachusetts on March 14.
However, the weather in Massachusetts this year is ripe for more agreement between the two rodents. Skies are also expected to be overcast in Massachusetts Across the state Friday morning.
Cloud cover is expected to be between 80% and 90% Friday morning in Massachusetts, which should make it difficult for Ms. G to see her shadow.
As if to underscore the point, the weekend immediately following Groundhog Day will be sunny in Massachusetts The weather service said.
People can watch a live stream of the Punxsutawney Phil forecast here starting at 6 a.m. Friday. Mrs. G's forecast at Mass Audubon Drumlin Farm at 208 S. Great Road, Lincoln, Mass., will begin at 10 a.m., and Mass Audubon says people can follow their Facebook and Instagram accounts throughout the day to learn about groundhogs.
