AP Photo Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 139th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025.

For those seeking a change in the weather, Dunkirk Dave has the best answer.

On Sunday, Dave did not see his shadow on Farmlane Road in the town. That means for the third year in a row he has predicted an early spring.

In fact, Dave has a recent history of favoring a warmer season. He has failed to see his shadow, predicting early spring weather in seven of the last eight years.

America’s more famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, had other ideas.

It predicted six more weeks of winter after emerging from his Gobbler’s Knob burrow and seeing his shadow.

The annual event, which proclaims Punxsutawney Phil to be the one-and-only weather prognosticating groundhog, dates to 1886. Since then, tens of thousands of people gather each year on Feb. 2 to watch the groundhog emerge, further popularized in film and on Broadway.

“It’s humbling to be part of one of the nation’s most inclusive and fun-filled celebrations, where all Americans can come together and simply have a good time,” said Punxsutawney Groundhog Club President Thomas A. Dunkel. “It truly seemed like this was yet again a record-breaking year for Gobbler’s Knob and Punxsutawney. And whatever people think about Phil’s predictions, we can all agree it was another amazing Groundhog Day for the books.”

Some in the commonwealth seem happy with Phil’s prediction. “A little more winter is something to be excited about in Pennsylvania,” said Anne Ryan, DCED Deputy Secretary of Tourism. “Phil’s predictions mean good news for the Commonwealth’s more than 20 winter resorts from the Poconos in the east and the Allegheny Mountains in the west.”