Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog emerged from its den on a snowy Tuesday morning and saw its shadow and declared six more weeks of winter to come. Members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “Inner Circle” woke the furry beast at 7:25 am to see if he would see his shadow or not.
The spectacle that is Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania continued, but this year it was all virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic.
GroundhogDay.org
Shortly after this year’s forecast was revealed, one of the members of the inner circle shared a message that he said Phil had told him earlier in the day, “After winter, you’re looking forward to one of the most beautiful and brightest feathers that you have “ever seen.”
Another member of the “inner circle” pointed out the uniqueness of the past year.
“People are referring to Groundhog Day. It felt like sometimes we all live the same day,” said one of the members. “Groundhog Day also shows us that the monotony is ending. The cycle will be broken.”
“Today is actually Groundhog Day, there is only one,” he added. “A new day is literally on the horizon.”
According to data dating back to 1887, the Pennsylvanian forecast indicator has predicted more than 100 times more winter. Last year, Phil predicted an early spring.
A live stream, which at one point had more than 15,000 viewers, played back footage from Groundhog Day’s prior to the big reveal.
Barry Reeger / AP
Then, of course, came the forecast indicator of forecasting indicators – assisted by his Inner Circle – at dawn. Tradition has it that if he sees his shadow as he did this year, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, spring will come early.
The live stream of Gobbler’s Knob, a small hill just outside Punxsutawney, about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, is powered by Holi-stay PA from the Pennsylvania Tourism Office. The event there, always on February 2, dates back to 1887.
Phil gave his prediction this year, like many years in the past, during a major snowstorm that hit the entire Northeast.
Jeff Lundy, the president of the Groundhog Club, told CBS Pittsburgh, “I’ve been doing this for a long time. I didn’t really understand the economic impact until now. And now I see it, because they don’t do so many companies. I’m depending on Groundhog Day, but it’s really that extra income you might not get, so it’s had a very, very negative impact on the community. ”