Punxsutawney Phil makes rare early spring prediction after polar vortex

York Daily Record

For those suffering through historic low temperatures from the polar vortex, we have some good news and some bad news.

The good news: There's sun and warmth - or, relative warmth at least - coming this weekend in many places. Temperatures will climb into the upper 30s or even 40s, following the late-week blast of arctic air and subzero temperatures or wind chills.

The bad news? Well, would you believe us if we told you a prognosticating rodent named Phil is likely to predict six more weeks of wintry weather on Saturday?

UPDATE:He proved us wrong! Phil didn't see his shadow, meaning he predicted an early spring

Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day. And, for the 133rd year, people will gather at Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania to find out if the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow.

The Groundhog Day shadow legend

Groundhog Club handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 131st celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. in 2017. Phil's handlers said then that the groundhog had forecast six more weeks of winter weather. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The legend goes that if the groundhog sees his shadow on Feb. 2, there will be wintry weather for the next 6 weeks (just about until the start of spring). If he doesn't see his shadow, that means fairer weather is on the way.

Now, the reason behind the shadow tradition could be one of many, so best not to overthink this. It's certainly not scientific.

But members of Punxsutawney Phil's "Inner Circle" claim his predictions are accurate 100 percent of the time.

The prediction: 6 weeks of winter likely

So, why was it likely Phil would predict more winter weather?

For one thing, he hadn't seen his shadow only 18 times out of 122 in his recorded history (there are 10 years where no record remains).

Plus, the weather forecast was looking like sun in Punxsutawney on Saturday.

In the end, the forecast called for more clouds, and Phil did not see his shadow - giving us hope for warmer weather!

Groundhog Day 2019 schedule, live stream

There are festivities all week in Punxsutawney, with the Celebration of Groundhog Day taking place Friday through Sunday, Feb. 1-3.

On Groundhog Day - Saturday - the prognostication celebration starts at 3 a.m. at Gobbler's Knob with a stage show. Phil makes his prediction around 7:25 a.m.

You can watch a live stream online at visitpa.com.