2-02-2024 11:15am

Early Spring on the Way? Punxsutawney Phil Did Not See His Shadow Today

Nate Weeks Editor

Groundhogs and early or late springs are one fun tradition about forecasting the coming of spring (Photograph courtesy of Oleg Mikhailenko on Pexels.com)

According to CBS News, Punxsutawney Phil, the weather-predicting groundhog, did not see his shadow earlier today, which is Groundhog Day.

Groundhog Day came about due to a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition. The superstition claims that if a groundhog comes out of its den and sees its shadow, it will then go back into its den, and then winter will continue for six more weeks.

The superstition alternatively claims that if the groundhog does not see its shadow, then spring will be arriving early.

Groundhog Day came from German-speaking areas in Europe but a badger was the animal whose shadow once held such meaning for forecasting the coming of spring.

Mr. Phil usually sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, so the prediction for an early spring this year is surprising.

Hopefully, we will soon see evidence in the weather patterns and the plants and trees that surround us that Punxsutawney Phil's forecast for an early spring is correct.