Skip to content
Help us continue providing local, fact-based journalism
that keeps you informed and connected each day.
Support essential local journalism for your community.
General | News
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight
    • California State of Mind
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Groundhog Day 2019: Punxsutawney Phil Predicts An Early Spring

By Serena McMahon | NPR
Saturday, February 2, 2019

Groundhog Club co-handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 132nd celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Friday, Feb. 2, 2018.

Gene J. Puskar / AP

Good news for those affected by the historic polar vortex that hit most of the northern United States this week: Punxsutawney Phil, the world's most famous groundhog, did not see his own shadow, predicting an early spring, officials deemed.

It's only the 19th time in the past 133 years that the famed groundhog has predicted an early spring outcome.

As the annual ritual goes, if the groundhog sees his shadow and retreats to his burrow, it means six more weeks of winter. If not, spring will make an early appearance, according to the legend.

Thousands of visitors made the trek to Punxsutawney, Pa., where Phil's top hat-wearing "Inner Circle" shared the groundhog's meteorological prognostication early Saturday morning.

The event kicked off with fireworks and music at Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney. The crowd was bundled in coats, hats and gloves, to brave through the frigid 10-degree weather.

Around 7:25 a.m., the crowd started chanting, "We want Phil!" and "Phil! Phil! Phil!" to wake up the sleepy groundhog.

"This is the largest crowd I've ever seen on Groundhog Day in the history of Groundhog Day," the emcee said to the audience.

On stage, Phil was carefully taken out through tiny locked doors on a tree stump. "All hail groundhog supremacy," the Inner Circle president said, as Phil was presented to the crowd. Moments later, one of the Inner Circle members read Phil's early spring prognostication as the crowd roared with applause.

Punxsutawney Phil is quite the celebrity on Feb. 2, but during the rest of the year, he fulfills his job as being an attraction for locals. He and his groundhog wife, Phyllis, are pampered and well taken care of, though. They dine on fresh produce and take naps in cozy hay, as NPR previously reported.

The famous furry marmot – dubbed the "the seer of seers" by his fans – is not the most accurate forecaster. Since 1887, Phil's winter prognostication has only been correct 39 percent of the time, according to Stormfax Almanac's data.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

View this story on npr.org

Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: COVID-19 Vaccination Pop-Up Clinic At Luther Burbank High School On April 13

California Coronavirus Updates: Blue Shield Announces It Has The Capacity To Vaccinate Six Million People Per Week

When Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine? How Will I Find Out? Answers To Your California Vaccine Questions.

Signatures Are In. What You Need To Know About The Gavin Newsom Recall Effort.

California Coronavirus Updates: California Pauses Johnson & Johnson Vaccinations

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2021, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.