Thursday morning, Punxsutawney Phil is scheduled to come out tomorrow for Groundhog Day 2012 to predict an early spring (or perhaps a late winter). People around the United State are curious to know if winter will continue for another six weeks. Diane Juarez of Salt Lake City, Utah said, “I hope Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t see his shadow because I want winter to be over.”
In 2012, winter has been especially mild across the country, but many people are already ready for spring. The weather forecast for Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania for Thursday is morning clouds and afternoon sun.
Punxsutawney Phil has been coming out of his hole on Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania for several centuries. This day is also known as Groundhog Day; the movie of the same title with Bill Murray made the name famous in the 1990s.
As tradition follows, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow then we have six more weeks of winter, if he doesn’t see his shadow and it is a cloudy day then the next six weeks will be moderate.
As many as 40,000 people come from around the world gather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day to celebrate the day and Punxsutawney Phil.
According to Wikipedia, Groundhog Day was mentioned in the diary of Pennsylvania storekeeper, James Morris on February 5, 1841 which read:
“Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."
For a video explanation of Groundhog Day, click here.
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Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow and forecasts early spring for 2011 (video)
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Sources: Wikipedia and Weather.com
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