Punxsutawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter
- Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his den and saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter.
- A recent NOAA ranking revealed that Phil had only a 35% accuracy rate, placing him 17th out of 19 weather-predicting critters.
- Despite his low accuracy, the event continues to be a beloved tradition, drawing large crowds annually.
In Pennsylvania, the celebrated tradition of Groundhog Day took place on February 2, 2025, at Gobbler's Knob, where Punxsutawney Phil made his weather prediction. On this day, a large crowd gathered to witness the event, cheering for the groundhog's decision as his handlers revealed that he saw his shadow. This announcement signifies that winter is expected to continue for an additional six weeks, aligning with folklore traditions that have been around for generations. Despite being the most well-known weather-predicting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil's accuracy has recently come under scrutiny. A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ranking showed Phil coming in 17th out of 19 critters based on a 20-year accuracy rate, having only gotten his predictions correct 35% of the time. This dismal performance is notably overshadowed by other groundhogs, such as Staten Island Chuck, who leads with an impressive 85% accuracy, and General Beauregard Lee from Georgia, who follows at 80%. The festival, which has been celebrated since the late 19th century, has historical ties to European agricultural traditions revolving around Candlemas, where the visibility of a shadow indicated whether winter would persist. As immigrants arrived in the United States, this custom adapted to include the groundhog, eventually evolving into the annual celebration and ritual observed today. Phil has remained a popular symbol in American folklore, despite declining respect for his forecasting abilities. This year, Phil experienced his first Groundhog Day as a father, having welcomed two offspring named Sunny and Shadow with his mate, Phyliss, in March 2024. As the crowds gathered, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro defended the tradition against criticism from animal rights activists advocating for Phil's retirement. He emphasized the importance of keeping the longstanding tradition alive, drawing attention to the large turnout and enthusiasm of fans. In summary, while Phil's predictions may leave much to be desired in terms of accuracy, the event continues to capture the heart of many, with thousands coming together to witness this quirky American tradition.