Punxsutawney Phil Will Text His Groundhog Day Prediction

Curious to know if we have 6 more weeks of winter? Let Punxsutawney Phil, the Groundhog Day groundhog, text you his prediction! That's right, beginning in 2010, Punxsutawney Phil will send you a text message when he makes his weather prediction.

How Do You Get Punxsutawney Phil's Weather Prediction?

Getting Punxsutawney Phil's prediction is simple. All you need to do is text "Groundhog" to 247365 and you'll be registered to receive Punxsutawney Phil's weather prediction by text message on February 2.

About the Punxsutawney Phil Tradition

The Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania with Punxsutawney Phil goes back to 1887. Punxsutawney Phil has been coming out of his Gobbler's Knob burrow every February 2 since then. If he sees his shadow, then we can expect six more weeks of winter. However, if he doesn't see his shadow, then an early spring is on its way.

The Groundhog Club president speaks "Groundhogese" and is spoken to by Punxsutawney Phil upon coming out his burrow. After Phil has made his prediction, he tells the Groundhog Club president -- who then announces to the world (in English) the famous groundhog's weather prediction.

How does Punxsutawney Phil manage to continue making his weather predictions after more than 120 years? The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club reports Phil drinks the secret "elixir of life." Every time Punxsutawney Phil takes a swig during the annual summer Groundhog Picnic, he is said to gain seven more years of life.

Groundhog Day Has European Roots

If you want to go all the way back to the origins of Groundhog Day, you have to look at the holiday's German roots. Initially, German farmers used the hedgehog for its weather prediction on what was called Candlemas Day. As waves of German settlers arrived in the United States during the 18th century, so did the custom of using a hibernating animal to help predict the duration of winter weather.

What's important in the groundhog's predicting the winter weather is sunlight - or lack thereof. Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on sunnier Groundhog Days, and can't see it when its cloudy during the beloved February holiday.

Resources

Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day "About Groundhog Day"
Los Angeles Times "Early Spring or 6 More Weeks of Winter? Punxsutawney Phil to Text This Year's Prediction"