Groundhog Day is returning once again, if you can believe it, as Americans flock to Pennsylvania for the odd tradition which sees a groundhog predict the weather. The tradition falls on February 2 every year and dates back to the 1880s, as Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his hole at Gobbler’s Knob. If the groundhog emerges from its hole at the end of hibernation and sees its shadow against the sunny weather, it will retreat back to its den with winter lasting a further six weeks.
But if there are cloudy skies when the groundhog - a rodent from the marmots squirrel family - comes above ground the spring season will arrive early.
America has been hit by brutally cold weather - colder than Antartica - with temperatures feeling close to -50C with wind chill, so many will be hoping Phil emerges from his hole when there are cloudy skies to welcome the start of spring.
What time is Groundhog Day 2019?The event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania about 80 miles north-east of Pittsburgh, will begin at 2.30am EST (7.30am GMT), until 4pm (9pm GMT) on Saturday, February 2.
But the estimated time groundhog Phil will emerge from his hole has not been confirmed.
Groundhog Day 2019: What time is Groundhog Day TODAY? (Image:
