Groundhog Day, the world's most eccentric weather forecasting system, has predicted that America is in for another six weeks of winter.
By Tom Leonard in New York
Last Updated: 9:57PM GMT 02 Feb 2009
Following tradition in Punxsutawney, the groundhog communicated his prediction to Bill Cooper, a top-hatted town elder who claims to be the only person in the world to speak 'Groundhogese'Photo: REUTERSEvery February 2 since 1887, the behaviour of a groundhog – a rodent in the marmot family – called Phil has been closely observed as it emerges for the day in Punxsutawney, a small town in western Pennsylvania.
On Monday the current "Phil" emerged from its burrow just after dawn in front of a 13,000-strong crowd on Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill in the town, which is 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
According to German superstition, if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on this day – the Christian festival of Candlemas – winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, according to legend, spring will come early.
On this occasion, the groundhog reportedly saw its shadow. At least that was the case in Punxsutawney, whose annual ceremony was made famous in the 1993 film Groundhog Day, about a reporter – played by Bill Murray – who keeps living the same day over and over again.
At another Groundhog Day ceremony in New York, a rodent called Staten Island Chuck didn't see his shadow but did bite Michael Bloomberg, the city's mayor – an action that groundhog experts were at a loss to explain in meteorological terms.
Following tradition in Punxsutawney, the groundhog communicated his prediction to Bill Cooper, a top-hatted town elder who claims to be the only person in the world to speak "Groundhogese".
Since 1887, Phil has seen his shadow 97 times, hasn't seen it 15 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.
The town, which this year attracted fans of the event from Japan, Iceland and Egypt, claims Phil has always been correct.
However, the US National Climate Prediction Centre said that the animal has only been right 39 per cent of the time.
Sheldon Carr, an engineer from Newburg, Wisconsin, was unable to explain the appeal of Groundhog Day, especially to non-Americans.
"There's no reason," he said. "No one understands the Yanks."
A spokesman for Mr Bloomberg said the Staten Island groundhog bit him on the hand, drawing blood, but there was no risk of rabies as the animal had been raised in captivity.
It's also Protium's birthday. Or would be if he had come to the States for a visit, maybe for his next birthday. How awesome would that be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! His birthday was yesterday where he's at. Happy birthday big brother! :D
8 comments:
he said. "No one understands the Yanks."
ha ha ha ha lol lol lol
how true :-)
Good 'ole groundhog day, I sure as heckfire reckon Ned Ryerson used to live just up the street from me!
Happy 21st Protium, or is what Fiery said true and you didn't actually have a birthday cos you weren't over there?
Punxsutawney Phil predicts more winter, Potentate Al predicts the earth will burn within 10 years.
Two opinions. Opinions do vary.
Did Protium see his shadow yesterday? What would it mean if he did? LOL!!
:)
Happy Birthday Protium!! And, many many more....
At least 13,000 people scare the shit out of me. Seriously!!
Hugs!!
OzAtheist- :P
Johnny- Ned Ryerson, omg YIKES!!! Was that who I saw out watering his lawn wearing boxers and flip-flops with calf-high black socks?????
HH- Except science backs up Phil 39% of the time.
Tracey- BWAHAHAHAHA!!!! nice one!!!! Know what you mean about too many people.
Was in Melbourne's train station bucking the crowds to get back on and there were sooooo many people coming towards me that I started to feel panicky and had to stare at their feet. TOO MANY FACES!!!!!
Johnny- Ned Ryerson, omg YIKES!!! Was that who I saw out watering his lawn wearing boxers and flip-flops with calf-high black socks?????
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA why yes, yes it is! :D............Gobbler's Knob te he
Science backs up Phil?
That is a rather confusing statement. Your use of the word "except" seems to indicate you somehow disagree with my assertion.
Science is merely observation. If science observes that Phil is correct 39% of the time, does it not observe that he is wrong 61% of the time?
With a 50/50 chance of being right, I don't think Phil would be standing on a podium saying "science backs me up 39% of the time, yo baby, science got my back".
Or am I wrong.
HH- Jeez it's been so long, I barely remember what I was referring to.
Relooking at the post and the comments, I'd have to say that the 39% Science bit refers to the claim that science backs Phil.
Then you ended your statement with "Two opinions. Opinions do vary" So I tagged on the "except" as a snarky reference to the lack of evidence for a supernatural being, Creationism, efficacy of prayer, that sort of thing. I assume you believe in at least 2 out of the 3, if not all 3, based on our previous discussions.
All in all, "except science backs Phil up 39% of the time" was ACTUALLY referring to the lack of evidence for god disguised as support for the rodent.
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