Punxsutawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter
Thats right, woodchuck-chuckers - it's Groundhog Day
By Scott Snowden → More by this authorPublished Saturday 2nd February 2008 12:31 GMTGreen Computing - Where do you stand? At the curiously-named Gobbler's Knob, in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, just a few moments ago, the little furry form of Punxsutawney Phil cautiously emerged, sniffed around for a bit...and then quietly muttered in Groundhogese that his own shadow he could see. So according to the seer of seers, the prognosticator of prognosticators, an early Spring is out of the question for 2008.

The tradition of making a small, furry mammal appear and predict the rest of the winter's weather dates back to 1887, and was actually invented as a ratings-boosting ploy for the local rag.


Punxsutawney Phil and his handlers, in real life, oh yes

Although the tradition, technically dating back to Candlemas Day, was in full swing back then, the editor of said rag decided that "Punxsutawney Phil", a groundhog he evidently had particular affection for, would be the one and only official voice of mammalian weather forecasting for the region, no doubt helping reader figures of the official newspaper partner along the way.


The crowd gathered all night to watch the 122nd prediction that took place at 7:30am EST

According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil emerges and sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he doesn't see his shadow, there will be an early spring.


Groundhog Day Organisation website

Skip forward 120 years and this quaint local tradition, always conducted on 2nd February - and helped along in popularity by the comedic talents of Bill Murray - attracts crowds of around 20,000 and is broadcast live on the web. You can catch the highlights on the Groundhog Organisation website. ®

Curse that agoraphobic rodent. It snowed again.

look what I've got to look forward to:
Sunday Night, Feb 10
Low: 7 °F RealFeel®: -34 °F
A little snow in the evening; otherwise, clouds breaking, windy and frigid

In related news, Bush pulled his head out of Cheney's arse, saw his shadow, got skeered and crawled back inside, signaling 6 more weeks of domestic spying.

We had a spell of single digit temps here just over a week ago. Then a night of 60 mph winds. Now they're saying it gonna be 61 degrees in Columbus OH tomorrow, just south of me.