Groundhog Day 2021: Punxsutawney Phil Weathers Pandemic Alone

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA — Punxsutawney Phil is going to be lonely on Tuesday.

The prognosticating groundhog will still make his annual prediction on whether six more weeks of winter will follow, but he will do it surrounded only by his Punxsutawney Groundhog Club inner circle. Phil's forecast usually attracts thousands of people to Gobbler's Knob,located just outside of Punxsutawney about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

"It has been determined that there will not be any in person attendance or guests on the grounds as the potential COVID-19 risks to overcome are too great," the club recently announced.

Phil's prediction can be viewed here.

Legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter will follow. If he doesn't, people can expect an early spring and above-average temperatures.

History suggests a longer winter is likely. Since 1887, the groundhog has seen his shadow 104 times to predict a longer winter. Phil hasn't seen it 20 times, to predict an early spring. (Predictions were not recorded 10 times late in the 19th Century.)