Punxsutawney Phil is held up to the crowd at Gobbler's Knob after making his famous Groundhog Day weather prognostication in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on February 2, 2008. Phil saw his shadow signaling six more weeks of winter. JASON COHN/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it at Newscom: rtrltwo696940.
Are you ready to handle six more weeks of winter? I can’t say I am. Unfortunately the famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow early this morning which is supposed to signal even more winter than is probably necessary to life. But should we really put our faith in this tiny, not to mention furry, weatherman?
The tradition of Groundhog Day dates back to the 19th century. As the legend goes, if a groundhog comes out of its burrow on February 2nd and sees its shadow then the next six weeks are expected to be cold with all the trappings of winter. Over the years the tradition has evolved to make Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania the premiere place to be on Groundhog Day. These people are serious about their rodent-related holidays. Every year there is a huge festival that literally stretches from January 28th to February 4th and includes fireworks, performances, contests, and more. Its crowning event is, of course, the morning of the 2nd when Punxsutawney Phil comes out to make his annual prediction.
Punxsutawney Phil sits on the shoulder of Official Groundhog Handler John Griffith after making his annual Groundhog Day prediction on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, February 2, 2011. JASON COHN/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it at Newscom: rtrlfour395408.
Signs go up in the background to indicate the decision as the groundhog known as "Punxsutawney Phil" predicts 6 more weeks of winter during his annual appearance to predict the weather February 2, 1996. Holding him is official handler Bill Deeley while scribe Bill Anderson shakes the prediction scroll at him in mock disgust. John C. Anderson UPI Photo Service/Newscom. Find it at Newscom: upiphotos033153.
Spectators at the 116th annual Groundhog Day celebrate with their shirts off before Punxsutawney Phil made his yearly prediction at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, February 2, 2002. JASON COHN/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it at Newscom: rtrphotos618951.
Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil takes a break inside his stump at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in the winter of 1998, following his annual prediction during Groundhog Day festivities. ROBIN LOZNAK KRT/Newscom. Find it at Newscom: krtphotos091575.
There are differing opinions as to whether Phil is actually an accurate predictor of the weather or if he’s just a sham. The official website of Punxsutawney Phil claims 100% accuracy, surprise surprise. Accuweather estimated at about 80% accuracy, which seems pretty legit. However another weather site, StormFax.com claims only 39% accuracy which also seems a little shady to me since by random guess Phil should be correct about 50% of the time. And there is some scientific evidence to back up the whole groundhog-shadow thing. Since groundhogs are hibernating through the winter, if they come out and its still winter they go back to sleep. Whether this has anything to do with shadows is pretty doubtful though. Most likely they’re just responding to certain cues in their environment.
Brief description of the groundhogs' day legend; with information about the origins of the day and other early spring holidays. Staff/MCT/Newscom. Find it at Newscom: krtgfxlive033554.
But whether you believe in the groundhog’s amazing predictive abilities or not, they’re still super cute.
Austria, Alpine Marmots (Marmota marmota) next to camera. Fotofeeling/Westend61/Newscom. Find it at Newscom: westendrf039841.
Groundhog, CA. Joe Sohm Visions of America/Newscom. Find it at Newscom: voaphotos021270.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, USA: Chester the groundhog rises up on his rear legs after emerging from his warm burrow on Groundhog Day, to look around at the crowd at the St. Louis Zoo, February 2. Bill Greenblatt UPI Photo Service/Newscom. Find it at Newscom: upiphotos033995.
A groundhog stands upright while eating a yellow dandelion. Peter Bisset Stock Connection Worldwide/Newscom. Find it at Newscom: scphotos010565.
To see more pictures of Groundhog Day and groundhogs, check out this nifty Newscom lightbox.
Or to see more pictures of other cute animals, take a look at these other blogs:
Tags: feburary 2nd, groundhog day, groundhog pictures, Punxsutawney Phil