Groundhog Day prediction says 6 more weeks of winter

People gathered Thursday at Gobbler’s Knob as customers of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summoned the groundhog from his tree stump at dawn to discover if he has viewed his shadow — and they say he did. According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be 6 a lot more weeks of winter. If he does not, spring will come early.

The “inner circle” is a group of nearby dignitaries who are responsible for arranging the functions, as effectively as feeding and caring for Phil himself.

The annual function in Punxsutawney, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh, originated from a German legend about a furry rodent. The gathering every year attracts thousands.

The Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as opposed Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast to the nationwide weather the final 10 decades and observed “on common, Phil has gotten it proper 40% of the time.”

This yr, Phil’s prediction came in the course of a week when a mess of ice, sleet and snow has lingered throughout a lot of the southern U.S.

According to information relationship back again to 1887, Phil has predicted winter extra than 100 moments. 10 a long time had been shed since no records were being held, organizers reported.

The 2021 and 2022 forecasts also called for 6 more months of winter season.

When Punxsutawney Phil may possibly be the most renowned groundhog seer, he’s surely not the only one. New York City’s Staten Island Chuck made his prediction for an early spring through an celebration Thursday at the Staten Island Zoo.