Groundhog Day
~ February 2nd ~
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

  
Every February 2nd, Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania attracts the attention of people from all over the world. The early morning Groundhog Day event is centered around a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, who forecasts how many more weeks of winter weather there will be.  If Phil sees his shadow on Gobbler's Knob, it means six more weeks of winter.  Phil sees his shadow most of the time.

Punxsutawney, Pa

The day before Groundhog Day 2007 we traveled to Punxsutawney to give our web site visitors a sneak peak at Groundhog Day preparations. With Pennsylvania currently in the strong grip of winter weather, one would assume that Punxy Phil will predict six more weeks of winter, but he didn't give us any hints when we paid a visit to his groundhog den at the Punxsutawney Library. Phil was most interested in curling up and getting some shut-eye before his early morning rise on Groundhog Day February 2nd and his trip up to Gobbler's Knob.
   

Punxsutawney Phil's annual forecasts
since our visit ...

February 2, 2012

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PENNSYLVANIA

~ Phil's Official Forecast ~
“As I look at the crowd on Gobbler’s Knob
Many shadows do I see
So six more weeks of winter it must be!”

February 2, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PENNSYLVANIA

~ Phil's Official Forecast ~
He surveyed his surroundings carefully and found that
"There was no shadow around,
so an early spring it will be.
The sky is clear, prepare yourself for warmth."
Video

February 2, 2010

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PENNSYLVANIA

~ Phil's Official Forecast ~
"If you want to know next,
you must read my text,
as the sky shines bright above me,
my shadow I see beside me,
6 more weeks of winter it will be."
  

February 2, 2009

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PENNSYLVANIA

After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers, Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time......

~ Phil's Official Forecast ~
"And a bright sky above me
Showed my shadow beside me
So 6 more weeks of winter it will be."

An estimated 13,000 people gathered on Gobbler's Knob, less than 8 hours after the Pittsburgh Steelers won an unprecedented 6th Super Bowl trophy. Much of the crowd wore black 'n gold to commemorate the victory.

February 2, 2008

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PENNSYLVANIA

~ Phil's Official Forecast ~
"As I look around me,
a bright sky I see,
and a shadow beside me.
Six more weeks of winter it will be!"

An estimated 30,000 people gathered for the 2008 festivities. A highlight of the 2008 Gobbler's Knob event were two marriage proposals!

Phil says: Early spring is on the way!

PUNXSUTAWNEY - FEB 2, 2007  7:28 am

 ~ Phil's Official Forecast ~

El Nino has caused high winds, heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures in the west.
Here in the East with much mild winter weather we have been blessed.

Global warming has caused a great debate.
This mild winter makes it seem just great.

On this Groundhog Day we think of one thing.
Will we have winter or will we have spring?

On Gobbler's Knob I see no shadow today.
I predict that early spring is on the way.

Source: groundhog.org

Summary of Phil's forecasts over the years
Updated Feb. 2, 2011

Saw Shadow
(6 more weeks of Winter)

No Shadow
(early Spring)

No Record
of Forecast

99

16

11

  
GROUNDHOG DAY

As early as 1886, German immigrants here observed Groundhog Day and established the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club in 1899. According to folklore, if the hibernating groundhog - known as Punxsutawney Phil - leaves its burrow on February 2 and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. The legend is based on a European custom predicting the length of winter by weather conditions on Candlemas, an ancient Christian festival.
  

WEATHER CAPITAL
OF THE WORLD!

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA
WEATHER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

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