Groundhog Day 2021: Punxsutawney Phil Delivers Forecast

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA - Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this year, predicting six more weeks of winter.

America's most famous rodent made his annual appearance Tuesday morning, emerging from his Gobbler's Knob burrow in an unusually isolated setting because of the coronavirus outbreak. The event usually attracts thousands of people to this tiny town about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

Legend has it if the furry forecaster sees his shadow, winter continues for six more weeks; if he doesn't see his shadow, spring arrives early.

This marks the 135th time Phil attempted to show meteorological mettle. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club credits The Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper with printing the first observance in 1886; the first trip to Gobbler's Knob occurred the following year.

Phil seeing his shadow was not unexpected. According to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club records, the groundhog has predicted an early spring just 20 times.