Groundhog Day February 2

On this day in 1887, Groundhog Day, featuring a rodent meteorologist, is celebrated for the first time at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather; no shadow means an early spring.

Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas Day, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be. Germans expanded on this concept by selecting an animal--the hedgehog--as a means of predicting weather. Once they came to America, German settlers in Pennsylvania continued the tradition, although they switched from hedgehogs to groundhogs, which were plentiful in the Keystone State.

Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow, 6 more weeks of winter

Each year on Febraury 2 the US eagerly awaits a visit from Punxsutawney Phil.
Punxsutawney Phil is the groundhog of folklore. According to this fable if Phil sees his shadow on Febraury 2 it means 6 more weeks of winter.
On this day, 2-2-12 Phil did indeed see his shadow.
If Phil's 'scientific' forecast is correct, we will see a dramatic change to our recent mild winter weather.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Courtesy photo