Groundhog Day 2020: Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring; Woodstock Willie predicts more winter
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. -- Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog on Sunday declared: "Spring will be early, it's a certainty."
At sunrise on Groundhog Day, members of Punxsutawney Phil's top hat-wearing inner circle revealed the cuddly oracle's prediction - his 134th, according to the Pennsylvania Tourism Office.
Awoken by the crowd's chants of "Phil!" the groundhog was hoisted in the air for the assembly to hail before making his decision. He then grasped the glove of a handler as a member of his inner circle announced that spring would come early this year.
WATCH| Groundhog Day 2020: Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring
In the Chicago area, Woodstock Willie gave his official prediction during the Groundhog Day celebration in suburban Woodstock. The groundhog saw his shadow which means six more weeks of winter.
This year marks the 27th anniversary since the release of the classic "Groundhog Day" film, which was shot in the town.
WATCH| Groundhog Day 2020: Woodstock Willie predicts six more weeks of winter
The annual event has its origin in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues. If not, spring comes early.
RELATED: PETA wants famous Punxsutawney Phil to retire, replaced with animatronic groundhog
In reality, Phil's prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney. That's about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh.
Over the past five years - from 2015 through 2019 - Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter thrice and an early spring twice.
According to records dating back to 1887, the Pennsylvanian prognosticator has predicted more winter more than 100 times, making this year's forecast a rare one overall.
WLS contributed to this report.
