Groundhog Day brings prediction of early US spring
The world's most famous groundhog emerged from his burrow early on Friday (local time) to predict an early spring in the United States for the first time in eight years.
On the 121st annual Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, which according to the folklore of German settlers in central Pennsylvania means spring is just around the corner.
The groundhog seeing his shadow would have signalled six more weeks of winter.
"The prognosticator of prognosticators has spoken! Phil says we'll have an early spring," the Pennsylvania tourism office said in a statement.
But according to more conventional weather forecasters, spring is not coming too soon.
Pennsylvania temperatures are expected to remain well below freezing during the coming week.
Since 1887, the groundhog has not seen his shadow only 14 times. Phil has been 100 per cent accurate in his predictions, according to the official groundhog day website.
In Canada, albino groundhog Wiarton Willie, based in South Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, also predicted an early end to winter.
It is the first forecast from this particular Wiarton Willie, who is only 10 months old and who took on the job after the previous Wiarton Willie died last summer.
-Reuters
On the 121st annual Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, which according to the folklore of German settlers in central Pennsylvania means spring is just around the corner.
The groundhog seeing his shadow would have signalled six more weeks of winter.
"The prognosticator of prognosticators has spoken! Phil says we'll have an early spring," the Pennsylvania tourism office said in a statement.
But according to more conventional weather forecasters, spring is not coming too soon.
Pennsylvania temperatures are expected to remain well below freezing during the coming week.
Since 1887, the groundhog has not seen his shadow only 14 times. Phil has been 100 per cent accurate in his predictions, according to the official groundhog day website.
In Canada, albino groundhog Wiarton Willie, based in South Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, also predicted an early end to winter.
It is the first forecast from this particular Wiarton Willie, who is only 10 months old and who took on the job after the previous Wiarton Willie died last summer.
-Reuters
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