Every year on February 2nd, thousands of people gather in Punxsutawney, PA in order to hear a prophecy. The prophet? None other than the most famous groundhog in Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil.
Legend has it that Phil can predict future weather patterns. He does this by calculating the trajectory of the sun’s pattern through the sky, and compares it to previous years, coming to one of two conclusions, either 6 more weeks of winter, or an early spring.
Without a doubt, Phil is one of the smartest groundhogs alive. If he wasn’t, then why would he be given such a huge responsibility? Phil takes his job seriously, taking precise atmospheric calculations throughout the year to ensure the accuracy of his “prediction”.
After making all necessary preparations, Phil was ready to share his prediction with the world. With all eyes on him, he slowly exited from his underground dwelling, as the crowd looked on with hope.
In frigid temperatures, Phil emerged with the bold prediction that spring would come early. It turned out that since it was a cloudy day, Phil did not see his shadow, and you know how the saying goes….
“If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.”
So put your coats, jackets, and hoodies away, and get ready for spring!
Special thanks to chief meteorologist Punxsutawney Phil.