Ground Hog Day
I’m not sure what a groundhog in Pennsylvania has to do with our weather here in the far Northern Plains, but it’s interesting to look at the history and accuracy of the Groundhog Day weather prediction. If you are like me, you may have heard at one point “Punxsutawney Phil” was the Latin name for the groundhog species, but that would be incorrect. The groundhog is a marmot with the scientific name of Marmota monax . https://www.britannica.com/animal/groundhog The name “Punxsutawney Phil” comes from the small community in west-central Pennsylvania named Punxsutawney, and their famous groundhog with the given moniker of “Punxsutawney Phil”. If you’re wondering of the origin of the name Punxsutawney… well the town was first settled by an indigenous tribe and the word “Punxsutawney” translates to “town of the sandflies” in their native dialect. And, what about the date of February 2 nd ? Well, it’s the approximate halfway point of t...