Punxsutawney Phil

Punxsutawney Phil is a groundhog and the most famous resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. On February 2nd of each year, the town of Punxsutawney celebrates the beloved groundhog with a festive atmosphere of music and food. During the ceremony, which begins well before the winter sunrise, Phil emerges from his home on Gobbler's Knob, located in a rural area about 2 miles east of town. According to the tradition, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, the world will suffer six more weeks of winter. If Phil does not see his shadow, spring will arrive early. The date of Phil's prognostication is known as Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada.

A club of Phil enthusiasts, known as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, take care of the famed rodent year-round. A select group, called the Inner Circle, also plan the annual ceremony. Members of the Inner Circle are recognizable by their top hats and tuxedos.

Fun Facts

Punxsutawney Phil fans say that there is only Phil (all the other groundhog weathermen are imposters), and that he has made weather prognostications for almost 120 years as of 2006. They say that every summer, Phil is fed a sip of the mysterious Groundhog Punch, which magically lengthens his life for seven years. This is done by Inner Circle members.

Phil's predictions are NOT made in advance by the Inner Circle, according to FAQ. Instead, Phil, after making the prediction, speaks to the Club President in "Groundhogese," which only the Club members appear to understand, and then his prediction is translated for the entire world.

Punxsutawney Phil has a wife named Phyllis, who keeps him company in his burrow.

In Media

• Phil and the town of Punxsutawney were portrayed in the movie Groundhog Day, though the scenes were actually filmed in Woodstock, Illinois.

Past predictions

• 2000-2006: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1999: Early spring
• 1998: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1997: Early spring
• 1996: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1995: Early spring
• 1994-1991: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1990: Early spring
• 1989: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1988: Early spring
• 1987: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1986: Early spring
• 1985: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1984: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1983: Early spring
• 1982-1976: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1975: Early spring
• 1974-1971: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1970: Early spring
• 1969-1951: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1950: Early spring
• 1949-1944: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1943: No appearance
• 1942: Partial shadow
• 1941-1933: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1934: Early spring
• 1933-1903: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1902: Early spring
• 1901: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1900: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1898: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1890: Early spring
• 1888: 6 more weeks of winter
• 1887: 6 more weeks of winter

See also

• Staten Island Chuck
• Spanish Joe
• Wiarton Willie

• Profiles of many other prognosticating groundhogs

External links

• Groundhog.org, the official site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club
• PunxsutawneyPhil.com