Groundhog Club handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 131st celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney. Picture: AP
THE handlers of Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, said the furry rodent has “predicted” six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow at dawn.
The top hat-wearing members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle reveal Phil’s forecast every February 2, based on a German legend surrounding Candlemas.
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow predicting six more weeks of winter during 131st annual Groundhog Day festivities. Picture: GettySource:AFP
The legend says if a furry rodent casts a shadow that day, 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 about 104 kilometres miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Groundhog Club handler Ron Ploucha holds Punxsutawney Phil. Picture: APSource:AP
Thousands of people gathered overnight to await the forecast. They were treated to folk music and a Star Wars-themed fireworks display under cloudy skies, with temperatures just below freezing, while they waited.
The groundhog’s prediction is typically contained in a short poem, sometimes referencing current events or — when the nearby Pittsburgh Steelers are participating — a comment on the Super Bowl, which usually follows a few days later.
Groundhog handler Dan McGinley looks at Punxsutawney Phil after he saw his shadow predicting six more weeks of winter. Picture: GettySource:AFP
But this year, Phil stayed on message and didn’t reference football, President Donald Trump or anything other than the weather.
“It’s mighty cold weather, you’ve been braving. Is it more winter or is it spring that you’re craving? Since you’ve been up all night and starting to tottle, I, Punxsutawney Phil, shall not dawdle,” the proclamation read. “My faithful followers, I could clearly see a beautiful, perfect shadow of me. Six more weeks of winter, it shall be!”
Records dating to 1887 show Phil has now predicted more winter 103 times while forecasting an early spring just 18 times — including last year.
Bill Murray in the hit film Groundhog Day. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
There are no records for the remaining years.
Groundhog Day became recognised all over the world in 1993 when a movie of the same name featuring Bill Murray was released.
