The Verdict Is In - 6 More Weeks Of Winter
Every year on February 2, the country turns its attention to a small city in Pennsylvania to see whether or not we will have 6 more weeks of winter or if we will have an early spring. Well, this morning, Punxsutawney Phil came out of his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob and predicted the weather for the rest of winter. The best pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to inform you that the verdict this year is that there will be 6 more weeks of winter. Last year, Phil had also predicted that there was going to be 6 more weeks of winter. While we trust Phil to let us know if spring is coming early or if we should bundle up for six more weeks of winter, how much do we know about him? Best Pest Control has a few fun facts about this famous weather-predicting rodent.
The Groundhog Day folklore dates all the way back to 1887.
Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip. Before he was known as Phil, he was called Br'er Groundhog.
Since a groundhog hibernates for the winter, the act of it coming out of the ground is a natural sign of spring. In addition to groundhogs, people used to watch for other hibernating animals such as badgers, bears, and hedgehogs as signs of winter's end.
A groundhog's burrow is more than just a hole in the ground. It can consist of nearly 50 feet of tunnels, buried 5 feet underground with multiple exits in case it needs to escape from predators.
According to the National Climatic Data Center, Phil has been wrong 15 times since 1988. However, when Phil doesn't see his shadow, he tends to be a bit better. Since the beginning, he's seen his shadow 15 times and was correct seven times for a 47 percent accuracy rate.
There are nine years without any records, and even the Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce, which keeps track of the readings, don't know what happened to Phil during those years.
There's only one Phil. Phil has been doing readings since the 1800s and has stayed alive this long due to a magical "Groundhog Punch" that he's fed every summer at the annual Groundhog Picnic. Just a sip of this magical punch extends his life for another seven years. So even if Phil misses out on six annual sips, he's still good to go with weather reports and news making for one more year.
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle takes care of Phil the entire year. They also plan each year's big ceremony in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The Inner Circle currently has 15 members (16 if you count Phil). The members all have individual nicknames that tie into their careers.
When Phil is not predicting the weather, he lives in the town's library with his wife Phyllis. He also enjoys traveling and has even met big celebrities and public figures like Oprah and President Ronald Regan.
Happy Groundhog Day!
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