Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow on Groundhog's Day, 2011?
Photo: Getty Images.
Amid another major winter storm in a large part of the country, many readers want to know what the legendary predictor of an early or late spring, the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, saw when he came out of his hutch on Groundhog's Day Wednesday.
Phil came out of hiding in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and did not see his shadow -- that means we are in for an early spring, if you believe the furry prognosticator.
Each year on Groundhog's Day, February 2nd, the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania hosts the festival that attracts media attention from all around the world. This year marked the 125th anniversary of the event.
A handler, this year named Ben Hughes, removes Phil from his hiding place and villagers and visitors look on as the furry critter looks about. It is then proclaimed whether or not he sees his shadow.
The early/late spring prediction often confuses people because if it is a sunny morning, and he does see his shadow, that is supposed to mean six more weeks of winter -- perhaps a counterintuitive finding given the bright conditions.
Of course, with February 2nd happening in the dead of winter in the Northeast, the likelihood is perhaps greater that it will be grey and cloudy -- in that case, Phil's prediction of an early spring comes as welcome news.
Both Phil and Punxsutawney, PA were made even more famous after Bill Murray starred in the popular 1993 comedy film, Groundhog Day which was set at the festival.
Each year on Groundhog's Day, February 2nd, the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania hosts the festival that attracts media attention from all around the world. This year marked the 125th anniversary of the event.
A handler, this year named Ben Hughes, removes Phil from his hiding place and villagers and visitors look on as the furry critter looks about. It is then proclaimed whether or not he sees his shadow.
The early/late spring prediction often confuses people because if it is a sunny morning, and he does see his shadow, that is supposed to mean six more weeks of winter -- perhaps a counterintuitive finding given the bright conditions.
Of course, with February 2nd happening in the dead of winter in the Northeast, the likelihood is perhaps greater that it will be grey and cloudy -- in that case, Phil's prediction of an early spring comes as welcome news.
Both Phil and Punxsutawney, PA were made even more famous after Bill Murray starred in the popular 1993 comedy film, Groundhog Day which was set at the festival.
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