Punxsutawney Phil says six more weeks of winter
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The handlers of Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, say the furry rodent has “predicted” six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow.
Members of Punxsutawney Phil’s top hat-wearing inner circle revealed their “forecast” at sunrise today.
The festivities have their origin in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues. If not, spring comes early.
In reality, Phil’s prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney.
Records dating to 1887 show Phil has now predicted more winter 103 times while forecasting an early spring just 18 times — including last year.
There are no records for the remaining years.
