Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter
By Jason Samenow, Washington Post
On a raw, cloudy and damp Sunday morning, Groundhog Phil saw his shadow in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pa.
The appearance of Phil’s shadow means winter will extend well into March according to folklore. Had Phil not seen his shadow, it would have meant spring is around the corner.
Since the Groundhog’s first prediction in 1887 (through 2013), Phil has seen his shadow 100 times and not seen it on just 17 occasions. There are nine missing years in the record, but Phil has issued a forecast without exception.
No one questions Phil’s dedication to prognostication, but his accuracy is an unending source of controversy.