In 2019 Groundhog Day falls on a Saturday (2 February). Very soon due to the star forecaster — Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, we will be able to know when to wait for spring this year.
The unusual tradition began over 130 years ago. This Groundhog day waking around 07:25, and he is forced to leave his warm hole. If it’s cloudy outside and the hero of the day, waking up, walking quietly, so we have to wait for early spring. But if the sun is shining and the Groundhog afraid of his own shadow, and hides back in the cozy house, the cold would last for another month and a half.
The official American Groundhog’s name is Phil, he lives in the town of Punxsutawney (PA). Festival predictions Phil was immortalized in the movie bill Murray 1993 «Groundhog Day». After painting the town’s popularity rapidly increased every year to watch Phil come more than 50 thousand people.
How often Phil predicted an early spring?
According to forecasts of the Stormfax Weather Almanac, Punxsutawney Phil has predicted a longer winter 104 times and an early spring only 18 times.
In the past two years, Phil predicted a long winter. Last early spring was predicted in 2016. I wonder what he will say about the weather now?
How is Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney?
The town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, has turned Groundhog Day into three-day holiday that starts on the 1st of February. Participants will see dozens of events, shows and performances. Hardly anyone could be bored here.
The main event starts at 03:00 February 2 at Gobbler’s Knob and continues all day through Sunday. Members of the Groundhog Club with cylinders on their heads hold the ceremony, listening to the predictions of animal and solemnly declaring them to the public.
The live broadcast can be viewed on the website visitpa.com.
What is the history of Groundhog Day?
The origins of Groundhog Day can be traced back to early Christians in Europe and, according to the custom of the Day candle, which marked the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox. On the day of the candles, it was believed that clear and Sunny conditions mean long and harsh winter, and cloud conditions indicate that the approaching warm weather.
Then the Germans adopted the custom. Their interpretation included the hedgehog and the belief that if an animal casts a shadow on the day of the candles, this indicates another six weeks of extreme cold.
When German settlers came to Pennsylvania in the 1700’s, they brought the tradition with them. However, since urchins in the region was scarce, they were replaced with groundhogs, which are also considered sacred among the local native Americans.
In addition to Phil, there are still marmots-meteorologists?
Yes, and a lot of them. In new York city meteorologist «working» Groundhog Chuck from the zoo on Staten island. At its annual predictive benefit usually is present, even the mayor himself. In Dunkirk (also, the state of new York) for the prediction meets Dunkirk Dave.
In the town of Lilburn (GA) is living Groundhog Beauregard Lee. The services of young meteorologists use in Canada — most famous Groundhog in there Willie out of town Viarton (Ontario).
Predictions Surkov from different cities rarely converge, and the main star (Phil of Pennsylvania), according to statistics, is right only 39% of the cases. However, the audience that did not get upset, because tradition is tradition.
