02 February 2024 , 12:26
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Punxsutawney Phil has made his prediction on Groundhog Day – and he says it will be an early spring this year.
Today marks the 138th celebration in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where everyone has waited to see what furry rodent Phil predicts this time. He has emerged from his hole today to a waiting audience of thousands in Gobbler’s Knob. But the famous winter-weather prognosticator did not see his shadow.
According to the tradition, each year one of the much-loved furry creatures can predict when the change in season will arrive. Legend goes that if it is a clear sunny day, the groundhog will see its own shadow - meaning the animal will return to its burrow and winter will continue for another six weeks. If the day is a cloudy one, the groundhog won't see its shadow and spring will arrive early that year, bringing above-average temperatures with it.
READ MORE: Groundhog Day in photos: 147 years of winter weather predictions through shadow forecast
People watch the decision live on YouTube from around the worldPennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro took the stage on Friday to tell those watching around the world all about this year's prediction. He announced Phil is the new official meteorologist for Pennsylvania and said: "Glad tidings on this Groundhog Day. An early spring is on the way."
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He is hoping for better fortune this time around. In 2023, Phil saw his shadow at 7.25am EST, meaning he predicted more winter. But he was wrong, making some doubters question his skills. The ceremony usually takes place at Gobbler's Knob, near Punxsutawney where Phil's burrow is. Folk gather early in the morning on February 2nd to see the event. The Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, who look after Phil, organise the ceremony.
The furry rodent has emerged from his hole today to a waiting audience of thousands (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Phil boasts a 39% success rate, says the Stormfax Almanac. FOX Weather's Britta Merwin says he needs to up his games and says: "Looking at the stats, there's only been a couple of years where we've had a no-shadow look for Phil. I will say, Phil is struggling with accuracy. He comes in at 39%."
As the sun rises, Phil is gently encouraged out of his burrow by the handlers from the Inner Circle. The groundhog is brought to a special platform where the crowd can easily see him. If Phil sees his shadow, he'll supposedly scurry back into his burrow, meaning there will be six more weeks of winter.
The tradition of using Punxsutawney Phil to predict the weather started in the 1880s. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club says Phil lives so long because of a special "elixir of life." They say Phil drinks this magic potion at the Groundhog Picnic every summer, which adds seven years to his life.
The incredible creature was held a loft after his latest predictionFor all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to
It's not just Punxsutawney Phil, the famous Pennsylvania groundhog, who predicts the weather. Americans have adopted this European tradition, which has turned into dozens of regional holidays that attract thousands of visitors. In Oregon, Fufu the Hedgehog is a mascot for the Oregon Zoo and is known for his weather prediction abilities.
Over in Massachusetts, they have Quentin the Quahog, the amazing clairvoyant clam. Quahogs are edible marine molluscs native to the eastern shores of North America. On Groundhog Day, a brave harbormaster will shuck Quentin the Quahog and see which way he squirts. If it's to the left, there will be six more weeks of winter. To the right, there will be early spring.
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club attributes Phil's longevity to a mysterious 'elixir of life' (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)In Southern Florida, folks celebrate the potential spring with a tiny bird called the Burrowing Owl. If it sees its shadow, they say it means six more weeks of winter - though Florida winters have temps in the 50s and 60s. At the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Leia the aardvark pokes her prophet nose into an ant mound labelled 'spring.' Before Leia came along, the zoo used Parish the nutria as their lead forecaster.
In Connecticut, a famous duck named Scramble steps out in Eastford to a crowd eager to see if he spots his shadow. The locals reckon he's never wrong about the weather because he's smarter than groundhogs. Meanwhile, for a decade, Brevard, North Carolina, has turned to a white squirrel for their weather forecast. Pisgah Pete held the title for years until his retirement when Pisgah Penny took over the tradition.