Feb 02, 2020

Punxsutawney Phil declares early spring 'a certainty'

Posted Feb 02, 2020 1:52 PM
<b>Punxsutawney Phil. </b>File photo from 2018 by Chris Flook [<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0">CC BY-SA</a>]
Punxsutawney Phil. File photo from 2018 by Chris Flook [CC BY-SA]

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. -- Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog has revealed an early spring is on the way.

At sunrise on Sunday, members of Punxsutawney Phil's top hat-wearing inner circle revealed the furry forecaster's prediction.

The annual event has its 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 northeast of Pittsburgh.