PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. — A furry creature in a western Pennsylvania town forecast six more weeks of winter during an annual Groundhog Day celebration.
People gathered at Gobbler’s Knob on Thursday as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summoned him from his tree stump at dawn to find out if he had seen his shadow, and they say he did. According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, spring comes sooner.
The “inner circle” is a group of local dignitaries who are responsible for planning the events, as well as feeding and caring for Phil himself.
The annual event in Punxsutawney, about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, originated from a German legend about a furry rodent. The meeting annually attracts thousands.
This year, Phil’s prediction came during a week when heavy ice, sleet and snow have been lingering across much of the southern US.
According to records dating back to 1887, Phil has predicted winter more than 100 times. Ten years were lost because records were not kept, organizers said.
Forecasts for 2021 and 2022 also called for six more weeks of winter.
While Punxsutawney Phil may be the most famous groundhog seer, he’s certainly not the only one. Staten Island Chuck of New York City made his prediction for an early spring during an event Thursday at the Staten Island Zoo.
