Punxsutawney Phil is wanted groundhog, communities ‘upset’ after blown forecast

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Nation & World
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
March 5, 2019
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He promised spring was right around the corner, but it appears that Punxsutawney Phil has lied.

On Feb. 2, Phil announced to the awaiting crowd that there was going to be an early spring. It was one of a handful of times the weather prognosticating rodent didn't see his shadow and the first since 2016.

But the cheers of a soon-to-be spring have transitioned to the sounds of teeth chattering and shovels picking up snow.

Communities across the country are going to their social media accounts to warn Phil he better watch out. He could be going to “groundhog jail.”

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Handler AJ Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil after he did not see his shadow predicting an early spring during the 133rd annual Groundhog Day festivities on February 2, 2019 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Day is a popular tradition in the United States and Canada. A crowd of upwards of 30,000 people spent a night of revelry awaiting the sunrise and the groundhog's exit from his winter den. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his den. Early spring arrives if he does not see his shadow, causing Phil to remain above ground.

Credit: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

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Credit: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

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About the Author

Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk