Groundhog Day 2024: Woodstock Willie Makes His Annual Prediction

WOODSTOCK, IL — Woodstock Willie shared his annual prediction in Woodstock Square on Groundhog Day. The plump groundhog made his grand appearance around 7 a.m. Friday and did not see his shadow, which means we are set to have an early spring.

This year, Punxsutawney Phil's prediction matched Willie's, calling for an early spring. World-famous weather-predicting rodent Phil's prognostication took place at Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania, which is about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

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Chicago weatherman Tom Skilling was at this year's Groundhog Days festival in Woodstock, Illinois, about 66 miles northwest of Chicago.

Skilling, who has been a meteorologist with WGN for decades, will be retiring at the end of February. It's his first time out to the festival.

"This is a high honor," he said. "I don't know, but after 55 years, I got some tips from Woodstock Willie this past week, and you can expect increased forecast accuracy in the weeks ahead."

The 1993 film "Groundhog Day" was filmed in Woodstock.

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