In just a few hours a little animal will pop out of his hole to the northeast of Pittsburgh, the animal will have tons of media coverage on what he has to say. Because this is not any old animal nope this is the greatest weatherman that ever was, Punxsutawney Phil!!
Groundhog day is the day when the weather forecasting has gone to the wild, well almost. Groundhog day has many traditions and even can trace it’s origins back into the church. February 2nd is the day on the church year called candlemas, this is a day when the priest would bless the candles to be used during the church year. He would give a candle to every family to light their homes for the rest of the winter because today the second of February is the half way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. A European tradition stated that, “If the sun came out February 2, halfway between winter and spring, it meant six more weeks of wintry weather.”
The tradition began in 1886 in the town of Punxsutawney. The name given to the groundhog was “Punxsutawney Phil” who is the Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary.’’ The people who continue the tradition today is a group called the inner circle of the Punxsutawney groundhog club. Only one can speak the language of the groundhog (Groundhogese), this is the current president of the inner circle who tells the world Phil’s forecast.
At this year’s event a new meteorologist hall of fame will be dedicated. This hall of fame is meant to spotlight meteorologist who “the important role these individuals have on our daily lives.” A new meteorologist will be added every year to add to the tradition of groundhog day.
Last year he appeared with a terrible towel because the great Prognosticator called for two things last year six more weeks of winter and Steelers Superbowl victory three nights latter, both of which came true!!
Phil’s Records
shadow (six more weeks of winter) - 96
No shadow – 14
No records - 9
Happy Groundhog Day!!!
Picture Source: http://headlines.accuweather.com/news-story.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&article=6
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