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Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring

1 min read

Those recovering from freezing temperatures this week will be relieved one rodent got up on the right side of the bed this morning. 

Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring this Groundhog Day after not seeing his shadow, a prediction so rare it has only happened 19 times in the 133-year history of the holiday.

The festivities have their origin in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues. If not, spring comes early.

The annual event began in 1886 when a spirited group of groundhog hunters dubbed themselves “The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club” and proclaimed Punxsutawney Phil to be the only weather prognosticating groundhog. Members of Punxsutawney Phil’s top hat-wearing inner circle reveal their forecast at sunrise on Feb. 2.

In reality, Phil’s prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill just outside of Punxsutawney, about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

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