"According to the Stormfax.com site http://www.stormfax.com/ghogday.htm, as of 2015 Punxsutawney Phil has made 119 predictions, with an early spring (no shadow) predicted 18 times (15.1%). The site states (without evidence or corroborative references) that as of 2015 the predictions have proved correct 39% of the time. This is significantly worse than chance (p = 0.008), and - if the accuracy figure is correct - suggests the traditional interpretation of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions should be reversed."
looney_tunes Moderator 20 year member
3332 replies
Answer has 3 votes.
Currently voted the best answer.
"Punxsutawney Phil fans say that there is only one Phil, and that all the other groundhogs are impostors. It is claimed that Pete/Phil has made weather prognostications since 1887, making the Punxsutawney groundhog a legendary rather than factual figure, since groundhogs only live up to six years.[3] It is publicly unknown how many groundhogs have actively played Phil."
The Pete/Phil reference is to a name change after a reporter used Phil instead of the original Pete one year!
How many different Punxsatawney Phils there have been:
Apparently the number is a closely guarded secret, as the "Inner Circle", the group responsible for caring for Phil, claims there has only been one, for 129 years. I suppose it's meant to add to his mystique. It may be that not even they know! http://www.groundhog.org/about/about-groundhog-day/
Return to FunTrivia
"Ask FunTrivia" strives to offer the best answers possible to trivia questions. We ask our submitters to thoroughly research questions and provide sources where possible. Feel free to post corrections or additions. This is server B184.