Is spring arriving early? America awaits Punxsutawney Phil's predictions
NEW YORK (PIX11) — In just a few days, all eyes will turn to Punxsutawney Phil, a prophesying groundhog whose shadow will determine when spring will arrive.
What first began in the late 1800s has become a nationwide tradition, which now includes all sorts of weather-predicting animals, including tortoises and even a duck.
While Punxsutawney Phil is the most famed among the animal prognosticators, a recent study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests that Americans should think twice before considering his prediction.
Out of the animals that have been prognosticating for at least 20 years and were active as of Feb. 2, 2024, Punxsutawney Phil ranks 17th in accuracy.
Only 35% of his predictions have been correct, according to the NOAA.
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Thankfully, Punxsutawney Phil is heralded more as a celebrity than a meteorologist, and the tradition is all in good fun.
Those who want to see Phil on Feb. 2 can tune into an online livestream provided by Visit Pennsylvania.
Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.
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