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PRINTThe Groundhogs are Ready
While each section of the country has its own prognosticating groundhog, the seer of all weather seers is Punxsutawney Phi of Punxsutawney, Penna. Residents have visited Phil’s home since 1887. His followers claim he has never been wrong. I would argue that he might have goofed a few times, but no one is perfect. In addition to Phil, other communities have their own Groundhogs including Chipper in Boston who tends to neglect his duties unless enticed by a groundhog of the opposite sex; Pothole Pete (I like that name) in New York, who was named by an eighth grade student in a contest; and General Lee in Atlanta, who some claim has very little forecasting responsibility because f the mild winters in the region. A few years ago we reported on Wiartin Willie of Ottawa, Canada. He has been at it for over 50 years. If your town has a groundhog worth noting, I’d like to hear about him or her.
Tomorrow is Groundhog Day. Our poll is close on this one:
35% – Six more weeks of winter, he’ll see his shadow.
28% – No shadow, early Spring
37% – No Shadow and I want more snow and cold. Bring winter on!
Technorati Tags Groundhog, Punxsutawney
Peter Geiger is the Editor of the Farmers' Almanac. Read his full biography here.Free Weekly eNewsletter
Farmers' Almanac Long Range Weather
February 8th - February 11th
- Northeast U.S.
Wet snow mixed with rain Mid-Atlantic north through New England; slushy accumulations of 4+" possible.
- Midwest/Great Lakes U.S.
Accumulating snows Kentucky, Ohio, then clearing. Fair elsewhere.
- Southeast U.S.
Wet snow Tennessee, western North Carolina; wintry mix northern Mississippi, Alabama. Elsewhere, rain, then clearing.
- North Central U.S.
Drier, much colder.
- South Central U.S.
Snow parts of Arkansas, then clearing, cold. Clear, much colder elsewhere.
- Northwest U.S.
Drier, but colder.
- Southwest U.S.
Drier, but noticeably colder.
• View entire Long Range Weather Forecast »
• Farmers' Almanac 2011-12 Winter Outlook »
• View the Almanac Daily Planner »
If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.