How accurate are Punxsutawney Phil’s forecasts?
Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Phil's handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter weather during this year's event that was held without anyone in attendance due to potential COVID-19 risks. No matter how good or bad his forecasts have been, Punxsutawney Phil continues to stick with the tradition every February 2nd. !#GroundhogDay #groundhogday2021 — Punxsutawney Phil (@PunxsatawnyPhil) February 2, 2021Whether that prediction comes to fruition or not is too early to tell, but according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Punxsutawney Phil’s precision could be better. Are you a fan of an early Spring or a longer winter?
Punxsutawney Phil's town misses Groundhog Day boost
Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. “The economic impact was really bad.”The mayor said the community of roughly 6,000 residents swells with between 10,000 to 15,000 tourists on Groundhog Day. Ad“On a normal Groundhog Day, there are so many festivities and the businesses and restaurants are inundated,” the Republican said. She said Groundhog Day typically gives local merchants a boost at a time of year when tourism is usually slow. Groundhog Day has its origin in a German legend about a furry rodent.
Gloomy Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil says more winter
FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2020, file photo, Groundhog Club co-handler Al Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 134th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. Due to safety precautions regarding COVID-19 transmission, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club has said there will be no public attendance for the 2021 event. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. – There will be six more weeks of winter, Punxsutawney Phil predicted as he emerged from his burrow on a snowy Tuesday morning to perform his Groundhog Day duties. Punxsutawney Phil may be the most famous groundhog seer but he's certainly not the only one. There are two other high-profile “imposters,” as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club calls them, in the region. Connecticut marked Groundhog Day with a hedgehog making the prediction after the state’s official groundhog, Chuckles X, died last year.