Groundhog Day 2024: Potomac Phil says early spring, more political gridlock
WASHINGTON - The nation's capital is in for an early spring and continued political gridlock according to Potomac Phil, D.C.'s most famous stuffed marmot, who made his prediction Friday.
The self-proclaimed "humble, unflinching prognosticator" made his appearance at Dupont Circle Park bright and early.
Potomac Phil
Right after Phil made his big weather proclamation, the party began with plenty of polka music, coffee, and treats to go around!
Before the celebration kicked off, November Project DC hosted the "Potomac Phil 5K." Participants ran a route that is in the shape of a top hat around Dupont Circle.
That event started at 6:30 a.m. at Connecticut and Q Street Northwest.
Will Potomac Phil see his shadow?
If you're ready for this winter season to be over, you're in luck. FOX 5 meteorologist Caitlin Roth says there's a chance for showers Friday morning, and it will be cloudy. The scattered showers in the morning should taper off to just a patchy drizzle by lunchtime.
The clouds should break for the sun to poke through as the day goes on. The highs are expected to be in the upper 40s, close to the lower 50s.
Just like in 2023, Potomac Phil probably won't see his shadow this year.
Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?
If the FOX Forecast Center's "Shadow Cast" holds, Phil will not see his shadow, and spring will be closer than we think if the groundhog's prediction comes true.
The tradition of using Phil to predict the weather has existed since the 1880s. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club claims their famous groundhog has been alive for so long because he drinks an "elixir of life," a secret recipe.
No shadows should appear in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, at 7 a.m. EST Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (FOX Weather)
According to the club, Phil takes a sip of this magical elixir during the Groundhog Picnic every summer, which gives him an extra seven years of life.
PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA, USA - FEBRUARY 2: Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Wednesday morning 6 more weeks of winter during Groundhog Day celebration at the Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, United States on February 2, 2023. Punxsutawney Gro
This year will be the 138th year of the Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney.
Chris Oberholtz, with FOX Weather, helped contribute to this report.