Kicker - Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction

NICK EICHER, HOST: It’s not our practice to deliver weather reports on this program, but it just seemed wrong not to give you this year’s forecast from the world’s most renowned weatherman. Well, weather-being.

AUDIO: Ladies and gentlemen, Punxsutawney Phil!

For the 134th time, Members of Punxsutawney’s tuxedo-clad inner circle woke the groundhog from the famous tree stump where he lives.

AUDIO: And to wake Phil up, we’re gonna do a chant: Phil! Phil! Phil! Phil! Phil! Phil!

They then sat Phil atop the tree stump where he chose between two scrolls. And when Phil made his choice, the master of ceremonies read the forecast.

AUDIO: So do I hope you think it’s neighborly, for there is no shadow of me. Spring will be early, it’s a certainty!

Well, well. We checked with NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—I love the fact that our federal weather agency is called NOAA—but I digress. NOAA looked at Phil’s last 10 forecasts and concluded he’s 40 percent accurate. Now, it’s typical for him to predict six weeks of winter, instead of an early spring, so maybe this is good news—that is, if you dislike winter.

It’s The World and Everything in It.

(AP Photo/Barry Reeger) Groundhog Club co-handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 134th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. 

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