Phil’s Long Legacy: For nearly 140 years, Punxsutawney Phil has been making weather predictions from his cozy home in a small Pennsylvania borough, about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Shadow Sightings: Phil’s first official shadow sighting occurred way back in 1887. Since then, he has seen his shadow a whopping 107 times, predicting a longer winter ahead.
The Missing Year: Interestingly, during the middle of World War II in 1943, Phil did not make an appearance. Perhaps even groundhogs need a break during tumultuous times
Spring or Winter?: According to folklore, if Phil sees his shadow on February 2nd, we’re in for six more weeks of winter. Conversely, if he doesn’t see his shadow, an early spring is on the horizon.
Phil’s Forecast Record: Over the years, Phil’s accuracy has been a bit spotty. He’s gotten it right about 40% of the time in the last decade23.
1. His prognostications have become an annual tradition, captivating millions of people who eagerly await his shadow-based insights1.