Heat Persists in the South Central U.S. and Southwest; Heavy rains in the Desert Southwest and Central Plains

Sweltering heat remains across the South-Central Plains, Lower/Middle Mississippi Valley, and the Southwest this week with limited nighttime relief. Thunderstorms will bring heavy rainfall leading to localized flash flooding in portions of the Desert Southwest and central Plains. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of the central Plains into the Northeast. Read More >

Climate statistics for Peoria and Springfield are available for Groundhog Day.

Groundhog Day has its origins in early European culture. It was said that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on February 2, winter would last another 6 weeks. No shadow would indicate that spring was around the corner. German tradition used hedgehogs as the animal in question, which shifted to groundhogs when German immigrants moved to Pennsylvania. The groundhog ceremony near Punxsutawney became the most well-known, using a groundhog named Phil.

Since reliable sky cover statistics became available (1957 in Peoria, and 1950 in Springfield), Groundhog Day sunrise in our area has been cloudy or mostly cloudy a little over 60% of the time.

Groundhog Day climate statistics

ILX RSS Feed

Heat Persists in the South Central U.S. and Southwest; Heavy rains in the Desert Southwest and Central Plains

Groundhog Day Climate Statistics for Peoria and Springfield