Groundhog Day is the popular tradition supposedly predicting the arrival of spring. The endearingly eccentric custom occurs every year on February 2 and has been celebrated in Canada and the US since the 1800s. The springtime celebration focuses on how a groundhog dubbed Punxsutawney Phil emerges its Pennsylvanian home.
The rodent’s emergence is said to predict either six more weeks of winter weather or the arrival of an early spring.
Visitors crowd around Gobbler’s Knob on February 2 each year to await Phil’s appearance and his weather prediction.
If when the groundhog appears and sees its own shadow, it will retreat back to its den and winter will reportedly last another six weeks.
But if there cloudy skies loom when the groundhog moves above ground, then spring season will come early.
Groundhog Day is not an official holiday, but large crowds gather for the annual event regardless, in addition to the press and camera crews.
2019 marks the 133rd anniversary of Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania.
What is a groundhog?
A groundhog, also known as a woodchuck, is a rodent of the Sciuridae family and belongs to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots.
Measuring about 65cm (26 inches), groundhogs are natural diggers, with short and powerful limbs and short, thick claws.
The animal is covered in two coats of fur, with a grey undercoat underneath and a longer, thicker coat with a burnt orange or reddish hue which gives it a frosted appearance.
The groundhog prefers open country and the edges of woodland, and is rarely far from a burrow entrance.
What time is Groundhog Day 2019?
The event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, begins 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.
Phil appeared some time around midday GMT in 2018.
The event is these days live streamed through the Visit Pennsylvania website.
Even though the first event was held in 1887, there was an earlier mention of the day in the diary of James L Morris of Morgantown, Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
However it was not until 1887 when the day was considered an official event when people travelled to the Gobbler’s Knob part of town to consult the groundhog on the weather.
Since then, people have annually assembled on the spot on February 2.
Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient Christmas tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter.
The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be.