Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob on Monday morning and saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter during the 140th Groundhog Day celebration.
Thousands gathered at the site in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, about 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, to witness the annual tradition. The event drew crowds starting before sunrise, with the town’s population swelling from 6,000 residents to between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors.
According to legend, if the groundhog sees his shadow on February 2, six more weeks of winter weather will follow. If he doesn’t see his shadow, spring will arrive early.
Phil was summoned from his tree stump around 7:15 a.m. by members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle, the tuxedoed handlers who manage the famous groundhog. The handlers read Phil’s prediction in verse, which declared that a shadow was present on the ground.
This marks Phil’s 110th prediction of extended winter, compared to 21 forecasts for early spring since record-keeping began in 1887. Last year, Phil also predicted six more weeks of winter.
The Groundhog Day tradition originated in European agricultural customs and is tied to Candlemas Day, which falls midway between the winter solstice and spring equinox. The celebration in Punxsutawney gained widespread recognition after the 1993 film “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray.
Phil is not alone in making weather predictions. Other prognosticating animals across the U.S. and Canada also made forecasts Monday, including Staten Island Chuck in New York and Potomac Phil in Washington, D.C.
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