Pennsylvania Groundhog Declares Early Spring ‘A Certainty’

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Groundhog Club co-handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 134th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. Phil's handlers said that the groundhog has forecast an early spring. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog on Sunday declared: “Spring will be early, it’s a certainty.”

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At sunrise on Groundhog Day, members of Punxsutawney Phil’s top hat-wearing inner circle revealed the cuddly oracle’s prediction — his 134th, according to the Pennsylvania Tourism Office.

Awoken by the crowd’s chants of “Phil!” the groundhog was hoisted in the air for the assembly to hail before making his decision. He then grasped the glove of a handler as a member of his inner circle announced that spring would come early this year.

The annual event has its origin in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, 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. That’s about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh.

Over the past five years — from 2015 through 2019 — Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter thrice and an early spring twice. According to records dating back to 1887, the Pennsylvanian prognosticator has predicted more winter more than 100 times, making this year’s forecast a rare one overall.


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13 Comments
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Mark Levin
Mark Levin
4 years ago

Such narishkeit! Last week i started hearing the spring birds. Saw some too.

Boroch
Boroch
4 years ago

This is a silly custom!

Take a deap breath
4 years ago

It’s just a silly lighthearted story, that’s played out every year.
Not everything has to be serious, relax a little. 🙂

Oops correction
4 years ago

Correct “deep breath”

Algore
Algore
4 years ago

Winter hasn’t even started yet….

Getzel
Getzel
4 years ago

I have more faith in Punxsutawney Phil than I do in Donald Trump. The ground hog doesn’t lie, knows as much about weather as the President.and doesn’t alter weather maps in an attempt to validate his forcast.

PaulinSaudi
PaulinSaudi
4 years ago

I am rather gobsmacked that observant Jews are not concerned about this pagan ritual.

Enough Already
Enough Already
4 years ago

I don’t put much faith in a bunch of guys in top hats and tuxedos holding a glorified rat to predict the weather.
It’s a silly old ritual and an excuse for that town to get some tourist revenue via media attention.
I guess compared to the hateful madness seen elsewhere in our world, this is basically harmless fluff for those who care or need a diversion from reality.