h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

News from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania:

Phil, the legendary groundhog and weather forecaster, has seen his shadow at Gobbler's Knob. This means that we will have to endure another six weeks of winter.

For more details about the annual ceremony do read A219755.

You mean that's a real event? And I always thought it had just been made up for the film!



**note to self - should read more guide entries**

Yes, it really is.

It's been going on for more than a century, and it's not the only town with a groundhog prognosticator. I won't mention the name again, since Jimi claims he's a fake , but Octorora also has a groundhog. Of course the men in that town who go out at the crack of dawn to seek the forecast from Orphie (oops, did I say that out loud? ) announce his prediction from the back of a manure spreader.


Somehow, it always seems like Feb. 2 is sunny, so naturally, the groundhog sees his shadow. Even today, when it's only up to 8F at 9am and decidely foggy (or hazy or something... not quite sure what to call it), the sun is shining through, casting definite shadows on the snow.

Orphie is a figment of some Pennsylvania Dutchman's imagination...

But Phil is the real deal. He is the seer of seers. He is the prognosticator of prognosticators.

He is my furry weather god!

And if you're interested, they should be repeating the broadcast of the event on PCN tonight and possibly on the web at www.pcntv.com at 7 pm and 11 pm eastern standard time.

Hardlines Jimi, another 6 weeks is tough. Just throw it our way.

There should be a 'don't' between just and throw

According to X family weather folklore, we're still due for another 10 winter storms.