PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - Punxsutawney Phil, arguably one of the most famous groundhogs, awoke Wednesday morning and saw his shadow — which according to folklore means there will be six more weeks of winter.Each year, thousands descend on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on Groundhog Day to watch the giant rodent make his annual weather prediction at dawn with the help of his "inner circle."According to folklore, there will be six more weeks of winter if he sees his shadow.
If he doesn’t, spring comes early. "Winter has been bleak, and bereft of hope, yet winter is just another step in the cycle of life," one of Phil's top-hatted inner circle members read from a scroll. "I couldn't imagine a better fate.
With a shadow I have cast... six more weeks of winter."In 2021, Phil predicted six more weeks of winter. The 2020 forecast called for an early spring.This groundhog tradition is thought to have originated in the 1800s and over time has become a staple in America’s culture.The event took place virtually in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, depriving the community, which is about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, of a boost from tourists.
This year, thousands returned to celebrate the annual event."This is the largest mid-week crowd we’ve ever had in the history of Groundhog Day," said Jeff Lundy, president of the Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle.Records kept by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club show Phil has predicted 105 continued winters and only 20 early springs.