Groundhog Day is coming up this weekend. So, what does that mean for San Antonio?
Take a look at how a prediction from Phil the Groundhog could impact our local weather.
What is Groundhog Day?
Every year on Feb. 2, thousands travel to see what the forecast holds from a groundhog named Phil at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
Phil has been forecasting since 1887. He comes out of his hole after winter to look for his shadow. If he sees his shadow, the result is six more weeks of winter. If there is no shadow, it is a sign of early spring.
How accurate is Phil?
Although he doesn’t predict the weather for the entire country, on average, Phil has been accurate 35% of the time over the past 10 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Here are his most recent predictions:
In 2024, Phil predicted an “early spring,” and much of the United States saw above-average temperatures for February and March.
Other versions of Punxsutawney Phil
Armadillo Day started in 2010 with Bee Cave Bob, an armadillo named after the City of Bee Cave in the Hill Country. He will make his way out of the culvert onto concrete, which is perceived as a highway.
Bee Cave Bob works like Punxsutawney Phil. If there is a shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. However, a cloudy day could mean an early spring for South Central Texas.
What does this mean for San Antonio?
No matter what these animals see, spring is just four weeks away from meteorological spring (March 1) or even seven weeks before the spring equinox starts (March 20).
Outlooks throughout the end of February are reporting above-average temperatures across much of the United States for February and March.
Will Phil & Bee Cave Bob see their shadow?
The forecast calls for overcast skies for Pennsylvania when Phil emerges. It’s up to Phil to whisper his predictions to an interpreter, who then informs the message to the waiting crowd.
For Bee Cave Bob, Sunday is expected to bring sunny skies with temperatures climbing into the upper 70s for most of South Central Texas. This means the armadillo might see a shadow.
Which animal do you trust to predict your weather? Tell us in the comments.
- Read more from the meteorologists on the Whatever the Weather page
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