It’s a German Pennsylvania Dutch tradition in southwestern Pennsylvania where morning festivities include speeches, plays, skits and music. As WJJY’s local meteorologist Stu Muck says, the tradition dates back far enough where the Pennsylvania German dialect was the only language allowed.
Also the tradition goes Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his stump, if it’s sunny out he will see his shadow and will return to his den signaling six more weeks of winter. However now, Phil has handed the decision making to two-legged weathermen.
Groundhog’s Day Organizers say Punxsutawney Phil is 75-90% accurate. However other research says he’s barely even half that accurate. Either way the official first day of Spring is a 47 days away or 6 weeks and 5 days.
As the tradition continues more cities have added their own furry four-legged weatherman. But the original Punxsutawney Phil warns us to bundle up and prepare for six more weeks of winter.

By — Lakeland PBS

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