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PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — As winter grips the United States with its icy hold, anticipation builds for Punxsutawney Phil’s weather prediction on Monday. The famous groundhog, a traditional harbinger of seasonal change, will reveal whether the cold will persist or if warmer days are near.
According to folklore, if Phil sees his shadow upon emerging from his burrow in the Pennsylvania countryside, winter will linger for another six weeks. Conversely, no shadow means an early arrival of spring warmth.
Every year, tens of thousands gather at Gobbler’s Knob to witness this time-honored event, which traces its roots back over a century and is linked to ancient European farming customs. The celebration gained significant popularity following the release of the 1993 film “Groundhog Day,” featuring Bill Murray.
Last year, Phil predicted six more weeks of winter—a common outcome that seemed fitting for early February. Members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, donning their distinctive top hats, claim to interpret Phil’s subtle cues—such as winks, purrs, and nods—as they convey his weather wisdom.
Phil isn’t the sole creature consulted for weather insights on Groundhog Day. Numerous locations across the U.S., Canada, and even further afield, host both official and unofficial events to forecast the weather through various animal oracles.
Groundhog Day falls on Feb. 2, the midpoint between the shortest, darkest day of the year on the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It’s a time of year that also figures in the Celtic calendar and the Christian holiday of Candlemas.
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Scolforo reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.