The Punxsutawney Phil 2011 verdict is in! So, did the groundhog see his shadow?
The most famous weather-predicting groundhog in America, Punxsutawney Phil, did not see his shadow Wednesday morning (Feb. 2), thus predicting an early spring season! This happy news comes as small comfort right now to those living east of, say, Southern California, as heavy blizzard conditions continue to slam much of the country.
Here in Tucson, we've been hit with a cold snap local weather folks say will stick around until at least the weekend. On Monday, we even had a bit of hail and icy rain! Still, Tucson is sunny and clear today, as per usual. Sorry, rest of the country!
Punxsutawney Phil 2011: Did The Groundhog See His Shadow?
We Americans sure love Groundhog Day. We even named a movie after it! In reality, says The Huffington Post, Groundhog Day is an old German superstition. They explain, "The Groundhog Day celebration is rooted in a German superstition that says if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early."
The Punxsutawney Phil 2011 prediction sounds good, but then, it usually does. Of the 125 Groundhog Day predictions by the furry prophet, an early spring has been forecast nearly 100 times. Sounds like Phil is just an optimist to us!
What do you think: were you happy with today's Punxsutawney Phil 2011 prediction? Let us know in the comments section below!
**We sincerely apologize for a typo that resulted in a contradictory statement within this article; the freezing cold weather must have zapped a few of our brain cells. We turned the heat up, and have corrected the mistake. Thanks for reading!
Comments
"...Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow Wednesday morning (Feb. 2), predicting an early spring season..."
"...if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early."
contradictions
i thought he didn't see his shadow...your article states he did. everything we heard shadow = 6 more weeks of winter. no shadow = early spring
You just corrected yourself. Thanks. So he DID NOT see his shadow. What a relief.
Sorry for the mistake!
Good news! I like his prediction.
i love winter so much more than spring :[
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