Alright readers, give me your report. Did the local groundhog in your area see his shadow today or not?
Confused about ground hog day? Well, it’s said that Groundhog day grew mainly out of a German superstition that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on February second, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, that winter will last for another six weeks. However, if no shadow is seen it’s said that spring will come early.
We have a few groundhogs here in Ontario that we keep an eye on, on Feb. 2nd. Wiarton Willie is probably Canada’s most famous Groundhog.
For the record. I’m writing this post at 2:15 a.m. February 2nd. Obviously it’s dark out right now. My weathernetwork icon on my desktop says that tomorrow morning will be -9 c (15.8 F) and that it will be partial cloudy with a 30% chance of precipitation.
My prediction based on our warm winter up until mid- January, and the weather conditions for this morning is that our groundhog will NOT see his shadow.
Lets see if I’m right or not.
He didn’t see his shadow … spring is near!
Just wanted to leave a Gazoo for any Blogazoo surfer who happened by.
For the record, Sun Prairie Jimmy (outside Madison, Wisconsin) saw his shadow this morning (and the timing couldn’t have been more ironic, what with sharply cold conditions expected through the weekend out here in Winona, Minnesota–where Your Correspondent happens to be based).
Meaning, in effect, that the Midwest has six week more of winter to deal with.
Previously in the morning, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his, meaning the Northeast will have an early spring.
Likewise with General Beauregard Lee outside Atlanta, meaning the South sees an early spring (notwithstanding possible tornadic activity across Central Florida on the overnight as saw @ least 14 killed and significant property damage).
Thanks for your reports! Looks like my prediction for this area was correct too. Wiarton Willie did NOT see his shadow. Early spring here .. so that means what … March 15th or so should be spring like?
I guess March will come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. I hope it does.
Annie- do you have any Prairie dogs? That’s the closest thing I can think of to a ground hog. LOL
As far as I know we don’t have any groundhogs here in Austin – maybe we could ask an armadillo?
Annie at the Transplantable Rose