The handlers of Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, say the furry rodent has failed to see his shadow, meaning means he’s “predicted” an early spring.
Members of the top hat-wearing Inner Circle announced the “forecast” at sunrise, just before 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.
A German legend has it that if a furry rodent sees his shadow on Feb. 2, winter will last another six weeks. If not, spring comes early.
In reality, Phil’s prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler’s Knob. The tiny hill is located just outside the town for which he’s named about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Records going back to 1887 show Phil has now predicted more winter 102 times while forecasting an early spring just 18 times. There are no records for the remaining years.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Thought I just read a story that said Phil just died.
That was the one in New York.
They had the ceremony in 2014, the Mayor of New York dropped him and the groundhog died a week later presumably of internal injuries. They covered it up. Democratic mayor. ‘Nuff said.
02Feb.2016
Who cares what Pux T Phil has to say he is as big a liar as OBummer & the rest of HIS White House Gang!
RB
Yep, he has only been right 39% of the time. He should have flipped Hillary’s coin…