Monday 3 February 2014

Mixed Results for Groundhog Day


Photo courtesy of Reuters
Those of us not fortunate enough to live in a more temperate climate could be forgiven for wishing for an early spring and an end to this frigid and blustery winter. Hence the interest each year in Groundhog Day.

According to folklore, if a groundhog emerges from his burrow on a sunny day and spots his shadow, we can expect six more weeks of winter. Conversely, if it's an overcast day and he doesn't see his shadow, we can look forward to an early spring. (Those who point out that this isn't exactly scientific might want to consider the success rate of meteorologists in predicting the weather.)

This year the most famous of the groundhogs, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow, condemning us to six more weeks of winter. His Canadian cousin, Wiarton Willie, offered the same gloomy forecast. However, if you're a "glass half full" kind of person, you'll be pleased to learn that Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam and Quebec's Fred la Marmotte both predicted an early spring.

For a comparative chart of leading groundhog predictions, please click here.






2 comments:

  1. I really have to laugh at this! I have been all of my entire life, seriously, a true believer of this little nut. Although, after last year, I'm a bit mad at him. Our spring should have come earlier, and it was the latest ever. We had lots of snow the first week of May, that lasted for several days! Yikes, he totally blew it last year. But true fans hold tight, and yes I was still curious and looked forward to his morning of honor! Hehehe!

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    Replies
    1. Nice to hear from you, Karen, and here's hoping that spring will be early this year!

      All the best,
      Mike

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