Groundhog Day celebrations kicked off today with people anxiously watching the live stream awaiting the weather forecast for the upcoming year. February 2 is the day when the most famous groundhog around the world, Punxsutawney Phil, emerges from his den to make weather prognostications. But did the groundhog see his shadow and will winter last another six weeks?
This year, Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day celebrations will be entirely virtual.
Normally, about 40,000 visitors gather for the celebration in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, each year.
Phil’s predictions happen in a rural spot a couple of miles from Punxsutawney called Gobbler’s Knob.
Around 7.10am EST (12.10pm GMT), the groundhog emerges from his burrow in front of thousands of followers from around the world.
This year was unlike any other celebration, with no visitors permitted to attend the festival.
Instead, fans of the tradition were asked to watch the annual celebration of the immortal groundhog.
READ MORE: Groundhog Day 2020: Did the groundhog see his shadow?
In 2021, Phil noticed his shadow which meant there would be six more weeks of winter.
He emerged from his burrow at 7.25am EST (12.25am GMT), and the inner circle of the Groundhog Club revealed the prediction.
In the prognostication, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club said: “It is a beautiful morning, this I can see, with all my fans viewing virtually.
“My faithful followers being safe and secure, our tradition of Groundhog Day must endure.
“We have all passed through the darkness of night, but now see hope in morning’s bright light.
“But now when I turn to see, there is a perfect shadow cast of me, six more weeks of winter there will be.”
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club confirmed the prediction of six more weeks of winter.
But for those hoping for warmer weather, the club said he had also informed them that they could expect “one of the most beautiful and brightest springs, you have ever seen”.
Last year, the groundhog predicted an early spring which proved correct.
However, he predicted a longer spring in 2019 and this was incorrect according to the NOAA.