Punxsutawney Phil 2016 LancasterOnline.com
Octoraro Orphie 2016 LancasterOnline.com
Yes--it's Groundhog Day 2016! February 2nd is also know as Candlemas Day--40 days after Christmas. According to German tradition, if a groundhog comes out of his quarters on this day and sees his shadow, he returns to his underground home for an additional six weeks of napping. If the day is cloudy he'll stay outside to enjoy the moderate weather. In Germany the badger was watched for his weather prediction. Early German settlers in Pennsylvania selected the groundhog for their February 2nd weather forecast.
Festivities on Groundhog Day are fun-filled events, and records tend to show that groundhog predictions are not entirely reliable. Our local temperatures here in south central Pennsylvania so far this week have been very mild and the snow from the Blizzard of 2016 has been melting at a good pace. We expect another warm day tomorrow with temps in the high 50's and a chance of thunderstorms are predicted.
This brief mild spell has been warmly received by our feline family as it's been a welcome opportunity to enjoy fresh air and sunshine on our screened porch.
Amy
Ginger
Maggie
