It is Groundhog Day, which means it is time to get weather predictions from a marmot. Did you know that — at least according to members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club — there has only ever been one Punxsutawney Phil, and he is 135 years old?
The 137th annual celebration centers on Phil emerging from his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania to predict the weather for the rest of the winter. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
The Inner Circle – a select group within the club - are responsible for carrying out the annual traditions and celebrations and take care of Phill all year long. The event dates back to 1886 when a group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney dubbed themselves “The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club” and began promoting Phil was the nations’ only weather prognosticating groundhog. Phil’s fame spread and his prediction became must-watch news. Today you will find up to 30,000 in attendance and millions watching on television or streaming on the internet.
The Groundhog Club says he’s always right but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration puts that estimate more at 50% for the span of time from 2011 to 2022.
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