Groundhog Day – What You Need To Know

I don't think there's an area on the planet that roots for an early spring more than the Jersey Shore.

That's why Groundhog Day has special meaning to us...as long as the little guy does the right thing. It's kind of like our meteorologist Dan Zarrow. If he says what we want to hear, we love the guy!

So, believe in it or not, Groundhog Day 2017 is two weeks from Thursday, so we thought we would provide everything you need to know about Groundhog Day.

Hope for clouds. Remember the shadow means 6 more weeks of winter. It's the clouds (and no shadow) that brings early spring.

Half your hay. Bet you haven't heard that one. 19th century farmers considered Groundhog Day the halfway point of the winter, so if you didn't still have "half your hay" left when the day arrived it meant you might not have enough to feed the cows through the rest of the winter, according to groundhog.org.

Times Square Phil. In 2001, Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day appearance was broadcast live on the Jumbo Tron at Times Square New York.

50/50 Phil. According to Live Science, Phil's best accuracy occurs when he predicts an early spring. When he does, he is right 47% of the time.

Phil-cast. Accuweather's extended forecast for Groundhog Day says clouds and a chance of afternoon snow for the big day.

So there you go, some stuff you need to know about Groundhog Day, which by the way is Thursday February 2nd. Good luck to us all.