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Punxsutawney Phil Sees His Shadow, So 6 More Weeks Of Winter

Every year on February 2nd, the famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, gives us his prediction of whether we will see Spring around the corner, or 6 more weeks of Winter.  While we take his forecasts with a grain of salt, it is still a fun time to see what Phil has to say.  According to Stormfax.com Phil is only 39% accurate.

I got to experience all the festivities back in 2000, and it was a great time!  However, it is NOTHING like the movie, "Groundhog Day."

This year under cloudy skies with snow falling, Phil SAW HIS SHADOW.  That means we will have 6 more weeks of Winter.  For us in the New Orleans area, I think we can deal with 6 more weeks of 70° temperatures!  Here is a look at his prediction this morning:


In Groundhogese, he directed the President and the Inner Circle to his prediction Scroll, which reads:
 At Gobbler’s Knob on Groundhog Day
We celebrate a world-wide Holiday
It’s mighty cold weather, you’ve been braving
Is it more winter or is it spring that you’re craving?
Since you’ve been up all night and starting to tottle
I, Punxsutawney Phil, shall not dawdle
My faithful followers, I could clearly see
A beautiful, perfect shadow of me
Six more Weeks of Winter, it shall be!
Here are some interesting facts about Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil according to groundhog.org:
  • Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800's. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob made on February 2nd, 1887. 
  • Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania's earliest settlers. They brought the legend of Candlemas Day with them which is on February 2nd.  It states, "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..." 
  • Phil has been predicting weather for 131 years now.
  • There is only be one Phil for the last 131 years!  Phil drinks an "elixir of life" to keep him around for so long! 
  • He has predicted a shadow 103 times, no shadow 18 times and there were also 9 other years without a report.

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