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| Groundhog Day: 130 years of weather predictions from Punxsutawney Phil (VIDEO) | Groundhog Day: 130 years of weather predictions from Punxsutawney Phil (VIDEO) |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Today is Groundhog Day – when thousands gather at Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania to see a famous furry creature predict, in his own colorful way, when winter will end. | Today is Groundhog Day – when thousands gather at Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania to see a famous furry creature predict, in his own colorful way, when winter will end. |
| The show began from 6am Eastern (11:00 GMT) and Punxsutawney Phil soon emerged from his tree trunk home to forecast on the arrival of spring. | |
| If Phil sees his shadow, we get another six weeks of winter, but if no shadow is cast, we are rewarded with an early spring. | |
| According to tradition, the groundhog then whispers his prediction to the Groundhog Club president, who can translate it for him. | According to tradition, the groundhog then whispers his prediction to the Groundhog Club president, who can translate it for him. |
| This year, Phil predicted six more weeks of winter. | |
| READ MORE: It’s Groundhog Day: Is winter finally over? (VIDEO) | READ MORE: It’s Groundhog Day: Is winter finally over? (VIDEO) |
| Unfortunately, Phil doesn’t always get it right, with a 46 percent accuracy record, although the members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club swear he’s right all of the time. | Unfortunately, Phil doesn’t always get it right, with a 46 percent accuracy record, although the members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club swear he’s right all of the time. |
| Staten Island’s Chuck, another famous predictive critter, is far more reliable, with 80 percent accuracy. | Staten Island’s Chuck, another famous predictive critter, is far more reliable, with 80 percent accuracy. |
| Although Groundhogs usually live for up to eight years, Phil drinks a magical punch at the Annual Groundhog Picnic in the summer, which adds an additional seven years to his life. | Although Groundhogs usually live for up to eight years, Phil drinks a magical punch at the Annual Groundhog Picnic in the summer, which adds an additional seven years to his life. |
| READ MORE: Groundhog bites Wisconsin mayor’s ear | READ MORE: Groundhog bites Wisconsin mayor’s ear |
| HISTORY | HISTORY |
| The tradition of February 2 as Groundhog Day dates back to 1887. Local folklore says that a groundhog – a type of marmot, also known as woodchuck or whistlepig – can predict the weather for the next month and a half. | The tradition of February 2 as Groundhog Day dates back to 1887. Local folklore says that a groundhog – a type of marmot, also known as woodchuck or whistlepig – can predict the weather for the next month and a half. |
| It stems from a Christian holiday, Candlemas Day. Taking place halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox, priests would bless candles and, if it was a sunny day, it meant there would be a longer winter. If it was cloudy, warm weather was expected. | It stems from a Christian holiday, Candlemas Day. Taking place halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox, priests would bless candles and, if it was a sunny day, it meant there would be a longer winter. If it was cloudy, warm weather was expected. |
| A hedgehog was later brought into the mix. When early German settlers in the US carried on the European tradition, they started to use groundhogs instead. | A hedgehog was later brought into the mix. When early German settlers in the US carried on the European tradition, they started to use groundhogs instead. |
| Back in the 1880s, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club would also hold a groundhog hunt in the summer, but stopped as Phil’s popularity grew. | Back in the 1880s, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club would also hold a groundhog hunt in the summer, but stopped as Phil’s popularity grew. |
| As many as 30,000 people gather to witness Phil’s prediction and the festivities bring $1 million to the local economy each year. | As many as 30,000 people gather to witness Phil’s prediction and the festivities bring $1 million to the local economy each year. |
| The reason the groundhogs stick their heads out of the ground isn’t just to help us predict the weather. Male groundhogs are on the hunt for mates at this time. | The reason the groundhogs stick their heads out of the ground isn’t just to help us predict the weather. Male groundhogs are on the hunt for mates at this time. |