Groundhog Day Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter for 2012
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Happy Groundhog Day! Here at Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde, Oregon, we’ve been experiencing a nice run of sunny, dry weather lately. Of course, the question on everyone’s mind is whether or not the reprieve from rain and snow will last? According to “the Great Oz of weather forecasting” also known as Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog signaled that he had seen his shadow this morning, meaning six more weeks of winter are to come.
Now in its 126th year, the annual Groundhog Day celebration is still going strong in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where visitors worldwide from as far as Russia, Germany and the U.K. have travelled to see the this legendary marmot emerge from a tree stump. His yearly prognostication always occurs the first week of February, midway between the Winter Equinox and Spring Solstice, to determine whether spring will arrive early. Folklore claims that when groundhogs come out of their winter dens too early, they are frightened by their own shadow and retreat back into hibernation for four to six more weeks.
The tradition started in 1887, when a group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney declared the furry weather oracle the “official” climate-predicting groundhog. Around the same time, the annual ceremony began to document Phil’s forecast began. Since then, similar Groundhog Day celebrations have emerged, including Staten Island Chuck in New Jersey and General Beauregard Lee in Georgia, but nothing compares to the original. Each year, Punxsutawney Phil is fed an “elixir of life” at the Groundhog Picnic, making him practically an immortal legend.
Sadly, Phil has predicted a long winter for 2012 when he “saw” his shadow this morning. However, according to the U.S. National Climatic Data Center, the groundhog is accurate with his predictions about 40 percent of the time, giving heart to those who desire a warmer spring. Either way, the folks here at Spirit Mountain are ready to celebrate with fun promotions for the month of February, including our Groundhog’s Day Wheel for cash prizes from $50 to $500. Come on down to escape the cold and play your favorite games!
