A fun tradition, but how does Phil do with his predictions? According to Stormfax.com, Punxsutawney Phil has only been correct approximately 39% of the time. However, long range forecasts aren't usually too accurate more that seven days out so I think that we're asking a lot from a groundhog to predict the weather for weeks.
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| My backyard groundhog didn't come out to see his shadow today. |
In all of this hubbub, I thought I would check out my local, backyard groundhog to see what he had to say about the subject. Basically, he said he was sleeping and go away. Meaning, the hole to his burrow has not been disturbed for a few months including today. So, he didn't see his shadow, but he didn't try to see his shadow. Or at least he didn't let himself be drug away from a peaceful sleep to predict the weather. I don't know what that means, but ultimately, I think that means that my groundhog is smarter than Punxsutawney Phil.
Want to know more about Groundhog Day?
Want a good overview of Groundhog Day including its origins? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog_Day
Want to learn about Punxsutawney Phil and the see today's official proclamation about the weather? http://www.groundhog.org/
Want to learn about some of the research going on with groundhogs? http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-groundhogs-day-marmots-20130129,0,2106484.story
Want to learn about the history of the Phil's weather prediciting abilities? http://earthsky.org/earth/groundhog-day-2013-how-accurate-is-punxsutawney-phil
I'm trying to get a sense of scale. That hole seems huge! How big is it?
ReplyDeleteIt's about a foot across. If you look at some of the leaves around it, they will help give it some scale. The hole slopes into the ground, so that distorts its size in the picture.
DeleteI've always wondered what P.Phil had to do with those of us who don't live in PA. If the east coast gets an early spring, that doesn't mean that the west coast will. But it's fun, and my kids were quick to tell me of his prediction this morning.
ReplyDeleteApparently, the practice comes from a tradition that Germans brought with them when they settled in PA. Don't really know what it all means across the country, but it is fun.
DeleteFun! We had to check out what a groundhog looked like so now we know.
ReplyDeleteThe groundhog is also known as a woodchuck here and is a member of the marmot family. Besides predicting the weather, they are most known for eating things in your garden and digging holes. They are very abundant here and hard to get rid of.
DeleteNot sure if I should thank you for that information or not :-) I am so over winter and am looking for any thing to grab hold of that will tell me spring is on it's way. When I heard Phil didn't see his shadow, while I know he's not always accurate, it gave me a little energy thinking it's almost over. Of course when he's wrong, by the time I realize winter isn't over, I've had six weeks of not being down about the cold and it really is almost over by then. Makes winter a little easier to deal with.
ReplyDeleteIf only we had control over the weather... I hope that spring comes soon, also, and keep up the warm thoughts
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