City Cast Pittsburgh logo
February 2, 2023

Punxsutawney Phil: Clairvoyant or Scammer?

City Cast Pittsburgh

Punxsutawney Phil: Clairvoyant or Scammer?

00:00:00
View all City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

Every February 2, the lore of a mythical groundhog draws thousands of spectators from all over the world to a small town 80 miles north of Pittsburgh. Punxsutawney Phil sits on his stump and predicts the weather; if he doesn’t see his shadow, that means an early spring. But how accurate are his predictions — and why does PA ride so hard for a rodent? We're teaming up with City Cast Philly this Groundhog Day to learn whether Punxsutawney Phil is the true "seer of seers" or just a groundhog who digs meteorology.


They’re joined by two people who spend a lot of time around groundhogs: AJ Dereume, who is Phil’s handler, and Dr. Stam Zervanos, who has studied groundhogs for two decades. 


Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Pittsburgh

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
September 3

Respect the Parking Chair! Plus More Essential Pgh Rules

Pittsburgh is full of unwritten rules and weird quirks, like reserving your parking space with a rickety chair, taking a left turn the mo...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
September 2

Ranking the Restaurants at Rivers Casino

If you're making a trip to Rivers Casino, it's probably not for the food, but City Cast Pittsburgh contributor and Post-Gazette dining cr...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
September 1

Your Guide to September 2026 in Pittsburgh

September in Pittsburgh means fall is coming! Check out a new regal-looking harpy eagle at the National Aviary, drive some golf balls off...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 31

Pittsburgh’s High-Speed Rail Fantasy

Should Pittsburghers stop dreaming about high-speed rail and start celebrating the trains we already have? The reality of having one is a...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 30

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Is PIT the Gold Standard?

Pittsburgh’s airport might not be the international hub it once was (RIP USAir), but it stands alone in a newer, lesser-known way: having...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 28

Did Disney Do Us Dirty? Plus, Guerilla Crosswalks & Capo's Investigation

A new collaboration pairs Disney characters with every NFL team, and the choice to represent the Steelers has been… controversial. Did Di...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 27

Your Guide to Making Friends in Pittsburgh

It can be daunting to make new friends in Pittsburgh. Lots of people are still tight with their buddies from kindergarten, and it's not a...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 26

Is Flooding Getting Worse in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh is on track to have its wettest August on record, which is especially concerning since flooding is our most frequent natural d...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 25

Taco Bell Lawsuit, Unsafe Sidewalks & Cryptid Dance Party

Is a local woman suing Taco Bell and Taylor Farms over cyclosporiasis? Is Downtown finally getting a grocery store in the form of Trader...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 24

Where To Eat Late in Pittsburgh

Back-to-school season means late nights are back — and sooner or later, you’re going to get hungry. We’re revisiting our 1,000th episode,...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art