Ironically enough in their defense their predictions are only a little bit less accurate from what weather experts consider a good forecast:
"The Groundhog Club’s records show that Phil has predicted more winter 103 times, and an early spring only 19 times. Based on data from the Stormfax Almanac, that means Phil’s accuracy rate is a pathetic 39 percent… but there’s a twist. Although Phil’s resume isn’t looking very good, it’s really not that bad when compared to the accuracy of professionals in the field. According to National Weather Service meteorologist David Unger “if our forecasts are about 60 percent accurate or higher, then we consider that to be a good estimate”. That means our leading experts in the field, with the latest and greatest weather predicting technology, consider a “good estimate” to be only 21 percent higher than the accuracy of a mid-sized meteorological rodent."