PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. — Emerging from his lair Sunday, groundhog Punxsutawney Phil couldn’t predict the winner of the Super Bowl, but his handlers said he was sure of his weather forecast: There will be six more weeks of winter.
Pennsylvania’s groundhog was roused from slumber at 7:28 a.m. Sunday and, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, directed handler Bill Deeley to a scroll that contained the prediction — along with a Super Bowl reference.
As usual, thousands of fans turned out on Groundhog Day to see the furry rodent. Legend has it that if the groundhog sees his shadow Feb. 2, winter will last another month and a half. If he doesn’t see it, spring will come early.
In reality, Phil’s prediction is decided ahead of time by a group called the Inner Circle, whose members don top hats and tuxedos for the ceremony on Gobbler’s Knob.
This year’s celebration marks a winter that has brought extreme cold to vast stretches of the country, including areas of the South wholly unaccustomed to severe winter weather. The Associated Press
