Six more weeks of winter, Phil says

[Political Lurker]

Six more weeks of winter, Phil says
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press


Punxsutawney Phil is held by Ben Hughes after emerging this morning from his burrow on Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney.
Phil saw his shadow and forecast six more weeks of winter weather.
Don't put those cold weather clothes in storage just yet.

Punxsutawney Phil, the internationally known weather prognosticating groundhog, saw his shadow this morning and predicted six more weeks of winter.

Thousands gathered on Gobbler's Knob in Jefferson County to await the groundhog's annual prediction. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club said Phil has seen his shadow 98 times since 1887, hasn't seen it 15 times, and there are no records for nine years.

Officially, the vernal equinox occurs at 1:32 p.m. March 20, marking the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere -- six weeks, four days from today.

Phil's weather predicting stems from a German tradition that says if a hibernating animal casts a shadow Feb. 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, winter will last another six weeks. Spring would come early if there is no shadow.

By the way, today's forecast calls for, well ... snow. The snowfall should be light with light winds and temperatures rising into the mid to upper 30s. Check out the latest conditions and forecast to plan for the day -- and to see the PG's Countdown till Spring clock.

Read more: http://www.pittsburghpost-gazette.com/pg/10033/1032831-258.stm#ixzz0eV7ftHWy
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