Home/News from NPR/At Virtual Groundhog Day Ceremony, Punxsutawney Phil Predicts 6 More Weeks Of Winter
While every day may feel like Groundhog Day in a pandemic, today really is. In Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil is said to have seen his shadow, signaling six more weeks of winter.
At Virtual Groundhog Day Ceremony, Punxsutawney Phil Predicts 6 More Weeks Of Winter
By Rachel Treisman
February 2, 2021
The morning after a winter storm dumped up to 2 feet of snow in parts of the northeastern U.S., a world-renowned groundhog named Phil emerged from his burrow and predicted six more weeks of winter.
Continuing a 135-year-long Groundhog Day tradition, members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” woke him up early Tuesday morning to see whether he would spot his own shadow. They said he did, signaling a longer wait for spring weather.
Roy Exum: My February Garden Monday, February 1, 2021 - by Roy Exum
Roy Exum
So here we are, standing in my barren garden, as the month of February arrives. The only promise in the wind is snow, but I know what is yet to come. In just 28 days March will arrive and, with it, the first flowers of hope, the little crocus will emerge and bloom. Then the jonquils. I was a big fan of the great optimist, Rev. Robert Schuller, who taught us: “Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.”
How accurate is Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day?
Believe it or not, there are historical stats that judge his accuracy
Keith Dunlap, Digital Content Team, Graham Media Group
Published:
Tags:
The coronavirus pandemic will turn yet another annual tradition into a virtual event on Tuesday this time the annual Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
Instead of gearing up for the arrival of thousands of tourists from around the country to see whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow, those interested in the groundhog’s forecast will have to watch virtually at 6:30 a.m. on the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s website.
When does Punxsutawney Phil come out for Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day 2021 will be celebrated at Gobbler s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2. That s when Punxsutawney Phil is anticipated to leave his burrow and look for his shadow for the 135th time, according to The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.
While in previous years the day s festivities kicked off early in the morning with large crowds, this year s event will begin later and be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While no official plans have been released, the Groundhog Club will host other virtual activities on the day of the event. A list will be posted on the club s website.