Our Groundhog, perhaps nonetheless asleep in its underground burrow at the moment. However Punxsutawney Phil, the “official” climate forecasting Groundhog was trotted out on TV this morning to foretell if we might have an early spring. He stated, Sure, since he did not see his shadow, we may have an early spring.

Here’s a poem from Phil’s web site in 2007

El Nino has brought on excessive winds, heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures within the west.
Right here within the East with a lot delicate winter climate we’ve been blessed.

World warming has brought on an excellent debate.
This delicate winter makes it appear simply nice.

On this Groundhog Day we consider one factor.
Will we’ve winter or will we’ve spring?

On Gobbler’s Knob I see no shadow at the moment.
I predict that early spring is on the best way.

In response to this web site, the Groundhog legend started:

In 1887, a spirited group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney dubbed themselves “The Punxsutawney Groundhog Membership.” One member of the membership was an editor of Punxsutawney’s newspaper. Utilizing his editorial clout, he proclaimed Punxsutawney Phil, the native groundhog, to be the one and solely official climate prognosticating groundhog. He issued this proclamation on, appropriately sufficient, Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney Phil’s fame started to unfold, and newspapers from across the globe started to report Punxsutawney Phil’s Groundhog Day predictions. At this time, 20,000 followers come to Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day to expertise this distinctive—and enjoyable—custom.

Completely happy Groundhog day. Hope Phil’s prediction comes true.