Groundhog Club co-handler Al Dereume, second from right, holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 133rd celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. on Feb. 2, 2019. Phil’s handlers said that the groundhog has forecast an early spring. (Photo: Gene J. Puskar/AP)
It may be hard to believe as a large swath of the U.S. thaws out from a bitter polar vortex, but spring is coming early, according to handlers for some of the country’s most famous prognosticating groundhogs.
Just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Punxsutawney (puhnk-suh-TAW’-nee) Phil emerged from his burrow in Pennsylvania at sunrise and didn’t see his shadow. Nearly the same series of events unfolded about 300 miles (483 kilometers) to the east, where Staten Island Chuck’s handlers also revealed the same prediction.
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.
In reality, Phil’s prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney. That’s about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio stopped attending Staten Island’s Groundhog Day ceremony in 2015, a year after he accidentally dropped the furry critter that died a week later.
And he wasn’t the only New York City mayor who struggled with the holiday. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg was bit at a Groundhog Day ceremony in 2009. (AP)
Groundhog Club co-handler John Griffiths, center, holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 133rd celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. Feb. 2, 2019. (Photo: Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Lisa Gibson, center, and her daughters Josie, left, and AneGiguere of Pittsburgh, arrive early to celebrate the 133rd Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. Feb. 2, 2019. It is the second Groundhog Day trek to Gobbler’s Knob for the family. (Photo: Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Katie Wolf of New Cumberland, Pa., wears a groundhog costume to the 133rd Groundhog Day celebration on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. Feb. 2, 2019. (Photo: Gene J. Puskar/AP)
A fan holds a sign supporting Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa. Feb. 2, 2019. (Photo: Alan Freed/Reuters)
Jennifer Koch of Philadelphia (left) and Angela Guldin of Sinking Spring, Pa., wear custom-made balloon hats as they celebrate the 133rd Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa. Feb. 2, 2019. (Photo: Alan Freed/Reuters)
Sarah, left, and Shaun Monastero from Brookfield, Conn., arrive for the 133rd Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. Feb. 2, 2019. (Photo: Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Dancers take the stage in the early morning hours on the 133rd Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa. Feb. 2, 2019. (Photo: Alan Freed/Reuters)
Kevin Smith of Carrollton, Texas, records the pre-dawn celebration while wearing a custom-made oversized hat at the 133rd Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa. Feb. 2, 2019. (Photo: Alan Freed/Reuters)
Our final 2024 mock draft projects four quarterbacks in the first five picks, but the Cardinals at No. 4 might represent the key pivot point of the entire board.
Ford offers the new Mustang's updated 5.0-liter Coyote V8 as a crate engine, and it also sells a supercharger kit that unlocks a total of 810 horsepower.
Oakland University outfielders John Lauinger and Reggie Bussey combined on what could be college baseball's best catch of the 2024 season against Northern Kentucky.
Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde react to the huge performance this weekend by Texas QB Arch Manning, Michigan and Notre Dame's spring games, Jaden Rashada entering the transfer portal, and more
Arch Manning gave Texas football fans an enticing look at the future, throwing for 355 yards and three touchdowns in the Longhorns' Orange-White spring game.
