Groundhog Day 2012: 10 Facts About The Day, The Animal And Punxsutawney Phil (PHOTOS)
How much do you know about Groundhog Day?
The February 2 celebration, which involves a weather-predicting woodchuck, dates back to the late 19th century, with other mid-winter weather holidays dating back hundreds of years before that.
On Groundhog Day, a groundhog in the small town of Punxsutawney emerges in the morning to a throng of onlookers. If he spots his shadow and returns to his hole, it means winter will last six more weeks. If the groundhog does not see his shadow, an early spring is sure to come.
Not to be outdone, many other towns now have their own woodchuck weathermen.
Punxsutawney Phil is the original star of Groundhog Day, however. He first predicted the weather 126 years ago and has had about 39 percent accuracy ever since. Click here to see the see the groundhog's predictions from the past 10 years.
Below, check out 10 interesting and little-known facts about Groundhog Day, groundhogs and even the movie "Groundhog Day."
| @ KenJennings : Wouldn't it be great if we could keep the spirit of Groundhog Day in our hearts all year round? |
| @ Seth__Rogen : I'd like to be the one to explain Groundhogs Day to the aliens when they come. "See, if the groundhog sees its sha--just kill us. Its okay." |
| @ FoodNetwork : This Groundhog's Day menu will keep you warm for 6 more weeks of winter: http://t.co/nLgQxM9E. |
| @ YouTube : Is there anything better than watching "Groundhog Day" on Groundhog Day? Watch the full video for free: http://t.co/Yywvkxjq |
Punxsutawney Phil rival Woodstock Willie also made a prediction today, but his forecast differs from Phil's. Willie, who is from Woodstock, Illinois, didn't see his shadow, delighting midwesterners with the promise of an early spring.
| @ ConanOBrien : I like the name "Groundhog Day" much better than the original "Pull Out The Dirt Rat Time." |
Staten Island Chuck (aka Charles C. Hogg), New York City's answer to Punxsutawney Phil, did not see his shadow this morning and "predicted" an early spring.
He also predicted a New York Giants win at this Sunday's Super Bowl XLVI. Many New Yorkers are hoping that Chuck is right.
| @ neiltyson : Groundhog Day: Evidence that Weather Forecasters still haven't convinced people that they know what they're talking about. |
Did you know that the most famous groundhog weather predictor's full name is: "Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinaire?"
| @ MikeBloomberg : Great news from Staten Island Chuck: Spring will come early this year! #groundhogday http://t.co/JBAmmta5 |
| @ GMA : Just in: Staten Island Chuck did not see his shadow, predicts early spring for NYC #GroundhogDay |
Curious about the men in top hats in Punxsutawney? Click here to learn about the Inner Circle.
| @ 680News : #GroundHogDay update: Ontario's celebrated groundhog #WiartonWillie did NOT see his shadow, predicting early spring! |
The Associated Press recently reported that according to the Global Snow Lab at Rutgers University, January was the third-least snowy on record for the the Lower 48.
AP writes:
But there is lots of snow and dangerous cold — it's just elsewhere in the world. Valdez, Alaska, has had 328 inches of snow this season — 10 feet above average — and the state is frigid, with Yukon hitting a record 66 below zero over the weekend.Nearly 80 people have died from a vicious cold snap in Europe, and much of Asia has been blanketed with snow. This January has been the ninth snowiest since 1966 for Europe and Asia, though for the entire northern hemisphere, it's been about average for snow this season.
| @ jaketapper : Today's forecast: "It's gonna be cold. it's gonna be gray. And it's gonna last you for the rest of your life." #GroundHogDay |
| @ GroundhogPhil : BREAKING: A terrifying shadow = 6 more weeks of winter! No complaining. We haven’t even had winter yet. |
Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter
The Inner Circle explains, "Phil's prediction is predicated on what Phil tells the President."
The Inner Circle takes to the stage in Punxsutawney, PA to introduce "the Great Oz of weather forecasting."
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| @ GroundhogPhil : Fireworks, the National Anthem, dancing girls and bad lip syncing. Is this the Super Bowl or Groundhog day? |
| @ ATL_Events : How can we have 6 more weeks of winter, when we haven't even had 6 weeks of winter yet? #groundhogday |
| @ globalmaritimes : This just in: #ShubenacadieSam didn't see his shadow. Spring is on the way folks, as long as you trust adorable rodents. #GroundhogDay |
| @ EmilyReddy : Fireworks were a pleasant surprise. Also, amazing the coffee was still hot. Now the sky is lightening a bit at Gobbler's Knob. #GroundhogDay |
| @ produceralex : Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" is rocking the @groundhogphil crowd this morning. We're there live this half hour on @ABCNews4 #chs #chsnews |
| @ accuweather : MT @emilyreddy: PA Gov. Corbett asks for an early spring. The 2nd time in the history of #GroundhogDay a seated gov attended. |
| @ ChattNoogaChuck : "Yawn." Getting ready for my 11 am forecast announcement @TNAquarium. Hmmm. It feels lonely around here. #hint |
Every day is Groundhog Day for a woodchuck rescuer. Read the LA Times story here.
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First Posted: 02/ 1/2012 8:50 am Updated: 02/ 2/2012 8:11 am