Saint John, NB, Canada / The Wave
Feb 2, 2021 10:03 AM
To truly determine how this winter is going to play out, we need to ask the expert: the groundhog.
February 2nd is halfway between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. The Celts used to celebrate the beginning of spring today, in a pagan festival called Imbolc. When Christianity showed up, Imbolc changed to Candlemas to celebrate Jesus being presented in Jerusalem at the holy temple. But those old pagan superstitions held strong so some would say that a sunny Candlemas means 40 more days of winter.
Punxsutawney Phil IG @punxsyphil
The Germans took it one step further and said it only qualified as sunny if small animals could see their shadow, and when they immigrated to the New World, the small animal they chose was the local groundhog.
Feb 2, 2021
Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. Tuesday. Phil s handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter weather during this year s event that was held without anyone in attendance due to potential COVID-19 risks.
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) There will be six more weeks of winter, Punxsutawney Phil predicted as he emerged from his burrow on a snowy Tuesday morning to perform his Groundhog Day duties.
Members of Phil’s “inner circle” woke up the furry critter at 7:25 a.m. at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to see whether he would see his shadow or not.
Feb 2, 2021
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) There will be six more weeks of winter, Punxsutawney Phil predicted as he emerged from his burrow on a snowy morning to perform his Groundhog Day duties today.
Members of Phil’s “inner circle” woke up the furry critter at 7:25 a.m. at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to see whether he would see his shadow or not.
Shortly after this year’s prediction was revealed, one of the members of the inner circle shared a message he said Phil had told him earlier in the day: “After winter, you’re looking forward to one of the most beautiful and brightest springs you’ve ever seen.”
Feb 2, 2021
Groundhog Club President Jeff Lundy interacts with Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa. Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Phil s handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter weather during this year s event that was held without anyone in attendance due to potential COVID-19 risks. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) There will be six more weeks of winter, Punxsutawney Phil predicted as he emerged from his burrow on a snowy Tuesday morning to perform his Groundhog Day duties.
Members of Phil’s “inner circle” woke up the furry critter at 7:25 a.m. at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to see whether he would see his shadow or not.