In brief
On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil will make his highly anticipated weather prediction at Gobbler's Knob, attracting tens of thousands of attendees. This century-old tradition, rooted in ancient agricultural customs, could see Phil either forecast six more weeks of winter or an early arrival of spring, depending on whether he sees his shadow. Groundhog Day events are also being celebrated in various locations across the U.S. and Canada.
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — It's already been a long, cold winter across much of the United States, and on Monday, Punxsutawney Phil’s handlers will announce whether the weather-predicting groundhog says there’s more of the same to come.When Phil is said to have seen his shadow upon emergence from a tree stump in rural Pennsylvania, that’s considered a forecast for six more weeks of winter. Conversely, if he doesn’t see his shadow, an early spring is expected.Tens of thousands of people will gather at Gobbler’s Knob for the annual ritual that goes back more than a century, steeped in ancient farming traditions from Europe. Punxsutawney’s celebrations have expanded significantly since the iconic 1993 film “Groundhog Day,” featuring Bill Murray.Last year’s announcement indicated six more weeks of winter, a frequent decree from Phil during early February. His top-hatted handlers in the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club interpret Phil’s “groundhogese” of winks, purrs, chatters, and nods to relay the furry forecaster’s insights about the weather ahead.Phil isn’t the only animal consulted for long-term weather forecasts on Monday. Various Groundhog Day events take place across the U.S., Canada, and beyond.Groundhog Day falls on February 2, marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and is also intertwined with the Celtic calendar and the Christian holiday of Candlemas.
