Groundhog Day

By Carol Heyen

Groundhog Day, which this year was on February 2, is a tradition in the United States and Canada, beloved by those in cold climates looking for the hope of spring.  This year was Punxsutawney Phil’s 130th prognostication, and his handlers said that the furry rodent failed to see his shadow at dawn on Tuesday, which means that he “predicted” an early spring.

“Is this current warm weather more than a trend? Per chance this winter has come to an end? There is no shadow to be cast, an early spring is my forecast!” read Jeff Lundy, vice president of the Inner Circle of The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

Legend has it that if the groundhog sees his shadow when he emerges from his den, he will become frightened and return to his burrow, and winter will last another six weeks. If not, spring comes early.

Records going back to 1887 show Phil has now predicted more winter 102 times while forecasting an early spring just 18 times. There are no records for the remaining years.  Since 1988, the groundhog has been “right” 13 times and “wrong” 15 times.

About 10,000 of Phil’s most faithful admirers gathered on Tuesday to wait for the forecast.   Many had been there all night.  The crowd was very happy to hear the prediction of an early spring.  “Bring on Spring!” yelled one.

Punxsutawney Phil is only one of several groundhogs relied on for weather reports.  There is also Staten Island Chuck in New York, General Beauregard Lee in Georgia, Jimmy the Groundhog in Wisconsin, Sir Wally Wally in North Carolina, Woody the Woodchuck in Michigan, and Buckeye Chuck in Ohio.

According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, the average groundhog is 20 inches long and normally weighs from 12 to 15 pounds. Punxsutawney Phil weighs about 20 pounds and is 22 inches long.  A groundhog’s life span is normally 6 to 8 years, but Phil receives a drink of a magical punch every summer during the Annual Groundhog Picnic, which gives him 7 more years of life.