Published February 02. 2019 07:28AM
PUNXSUTAWNEY (AP) — As the Midwest and East Coast try to recover from this week’s dangerous Arctic blast, Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog is gearing up to reveal whether an early spring is on the way or if winter will stick around.
Members of Punxsutawney Phil’s top hat-wearing inner circle plan to reveal their forecast at sunrise on Saturday.
The festivities have their origin in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues. If not, spring comes early.
In reality, Phil’s prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney. That’s about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2017 file photo, Groundhog Club handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 131st celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. As the Midwest and East Coast try to recover from this week’s dangerous Arctic blast, Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog is gearing up to reveal whether an early spring is on the way or if winter will stick around. Members of Punxsutawney Phil’s top hat-wearing inner circle plan to reveal their forecast at sunrise on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019. (James Robinson/The Patriot-News/PennLive.com via AP, File)