- Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, indicating an early spring is on the horizon.
- Approximately 30,000 people attended the event despite overcast weather and just above freezing temperatures.
- Phil’s prediction ceremony took place for the 138th time, and historically he has predicted six more weeks of winter more often than an early spring.
Additional Coverage:
Punxsutawney Phil, the world-renowned groundhog, emerged from his burrow on Friday and did not see his shadow. According to legend, this means that an early spring is on the horizon. If Phil were to see his shadow, it would signify six more weeks of winter.
The weather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where Phil resides, was overcast with temperatures just above freezing during the announcement. However, regardless of the weather, approximately 30,000 people attend the festivities each year. The tradition stems from Candlemas Day and Pennsylvania Dutch customs that date back for generations.
Phil’s prediction ceremony occurs annually on a small hill called Gobbler’s Knob, just outside of Punxsutawney. This year marked the 138th time the event has taken place. The men dressed in top hats who surround Phil during the ceremony are members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle, tasked with preserving the legend of Phil.
Over the past decade, Phil’s predictions have been fairly balanced. From 2015 to 2020, he predicted a longer winter on three occasions and an early spring three times as well. However, since 1887, Phil has forecasted six more weeks of winter over a hundred times.
Based on records from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Punxsutawney Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter 107 times and an early spring only 21 times. There are no records for 10 of those years since 1887.
Ultimately, it is important to take Phil’s predictions with skepticism. In the 10 annual predictions from 2013 to 2022, he has been less accurate than flipping a coin. Out of those predictions, he has been correct only four times and incorrect on six occasions.