Punxsutawney Phil, right, got to meet Gov. Josh Shapiro Thursday, but still predicted six more weeks of Winter.
Pennsylvania’s very own world-famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow this morning at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney.
This marks the 108th time Phil has not seen his shadow, calling for a few more weeks of winter, during the 137-year-old tradition.
While it might be easy to write off the meteorological prognostications of a giant rodent, Axios reports Phil and his ancestors have been right a shocking 69% of the time over the last 75 years. So bundle up, despite forecasts showing a mild couple of weeks after this weekend’s deep freeze.
“It is an honor for me to be here today with the world-famous weather prognosticating groundhog Punxsutawney Phil,” said Acting Secretary Siger. “We are very fortunate to have thousands flock to the Pennsylvania Wilds each year to await his prediction and to have millions more tune in on television to learn of winter’s fate.”
Celebrated by locals and visitors alike, the annual event dates back to 1887 when a group of groundhog hunters first dubbed themselves “The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club” and proclaimed Punxsutawney Phil to be the one-and-only weather prognosticating groundhog. Since then, thousands of people gather each February 2 to watch the groundhog emerge. According to the holiday folklore, if the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. Should he not see his shadow, Phil promises an early spring.
