Punxsutawney Phil Is in Trouble With the Law
The official first day of spring may have been earlier this week, but one prosecutor in Ohio thinks that winter has gone on far too long—and he blames a certain prognosticatory rodent.
The official first day of spring may have been earlier this week, but one prosecutor in Ohio thinks that winter has gone on far too long—and he blames a certain prognosticatory rodent.
Groundhog Day was first celebrated on February 2, 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, but the legend of the groundhog’s prognosticating prowess was first established a year later. A group of devoted followers went to Gobbler’s Knob to spread word that the little rodent had special powers to determine the length of the winter.
If the furry mascot emerges from its cave only to scamper back in without spotting its shadow, we should rejoice: Winter would be ending soon. However, if the sun that morning allows the groundhog to see its shadow the winter weather will go on for an additional six weeks.
Snow and ice may be blanketing a good part of the country, but the nation’s foremost groundhog says better weather is coming soon.
Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this February 2nd, as he emerged from Gobbler's Knob, which suggests we will have an early spring.
Since 1887, Phil has only predicted 15 early springs. The StormFax Weather Almanac pegs Phil’s accuracy as a prognosticator at 39 percent. See video of the little critter after the jump.