Pennsylvania groundhog set to ‘predict’ whether winter ends

Original Story: With cloudy skies forecast for western Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning, it’s unlikely famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow when he pops out of his burrow, meaning he won’t promptly rush back inside.

The German legend we all know that if it sees his shadow, winter will last an additional six weeks.

But spring does not appear near in the state of Colorado as a snowstorm continues for the third day. Punxsutawney Phil will be making his appearance from his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob in front of thousands of excited onlookers. The tiny hill is located just outside the town for which he’s named about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Nine years are missing from the record, but Phil has issued a forecast without exception. It’s the 130 anniversary of Ground Hog Day in Punxsutawney so you can expect a big celebration. This happens on or around the halfway point between the winter equinox and the spring solstice. It is that town’s groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, which remains the “king” of all prognosticating groundhogs – but there are numerous others that have jumped on the weather prediction bandwagon over the years.

It’s not an official holiday, but many all across the country are waiting to see if Punxsutawney Phil or Howell’s Woody will see their shadows.

NOAA says Groundhog Day originated as a celebration of the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox.

Traditionally, the city’s mayor attends the festivities. The members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club used to hunt their namesake creature during the late summer and host banquets where woodchuck was occasionally on the menu, according to Jeff Lundy, vice president of the club.

Chuck has an 80 percent accuracy rate, according to the Zoo.