Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter

Harriet Sinclair
Wednesday 02 February 2022 11:32 EST
Comments
(AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Bad news for sun worshippers – there’s six more weeks of winter ahead. That is, as least, according to Punxsutawney Phil, the rodent who predicts the weather.

This Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow and saw his shadow, which indicates a longer winter as opposed to the beginning of spring.

Thousands of people gathered in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to watch the prediction, which saw members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle take Phil from his burrow and put him on a tree stump to see if he would see his shadow.

The sight of a shadow foretells six more weeks of winter, while the lack of shadow predicts an early spring, according to Groundhog Day tradition.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in