Areas of Showers and Thunderstorms to Start the Work Week

Areas of rain and thunderstorms are forecast Monday across the central and eastern states. Some mixed rain and snow is possible in the high Sierra Mountains. Heavy to excessive rain may bring flooding in the central Appalachians. 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

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Areas of Showers and Thunderstorms to Start the Work Week

Groundhog Day Climate Statistics for Peoria and Springfield