The Groundhog's Shadow

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA — Today, at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, people gathered for the American tradition of Groundhog’s Day. Where the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil is pulled from his burrow to find out if spring is around the corner or if more winter is coming.

This morning, for the 137th time, Phil did see his shadow which, according to folklore, means six more weeks of winter. Phil’s prediction was translated from “Groundhogese” by Groundhog Club President Tom Dunkel.

Of course, this is just an American tradition and Phil has actually been wrong about 60% of the time. Over the past 10 years, the groundhog has only been right four times. This is the third straight year Phil has seen its shadow. Out of 127 times Phil has predicted the weather, he has seen his shadow 107 times, which is about 84% of the time and the longest streak of “six more weeks of winter” is still at 31 times from 1903-1933. Although, 10 years of Phil’s predictions were lost due to no records being kept.

According to Stormfax Weather Almanac, the groundhog has only been right about 39% of the time which, honestly, is probably better than the local meteorologist. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle says Phil is right 100% of the time.

While Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction is the main event, the shop owners and others at Gobbler’s Knob enjoy the festivities as the town of usually 6,000 people jumps to around 25,000 for the celebration.

Chamber of Commerce President Katie Laska said, “You can just imagine the impact it has on our economy here.”