Spring Expected To Begin Early? Groundhog Day Predictions

Happy Groundhog Day! I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday with much warmer temperatures and mostly sunny skies. I thought I would share a little meteorology/ weather history prediction fun. Today, Punxsutawney Phil, the famous weather prediction groundhog made his annual debut. So what were his predictions for the rest of the season...? Well, he did not see his shadow today meaning Spring is expected to begin early. Though Phil predicts a soon start to the Spring season, his annual predictions do not have a positive track record with only "getting 40% of his predictions correct" (NOAA). So where does this tradition begin? Starting sometime in the 1700's Christian settlers brought a tradition known as Candlemas Day. This day was to be the mid-point between the Winter Solecistic and the Spring Equinox (February 2nd). On this day, candles were distributed for the typical dark cold days. According to legend, if it is a mild day (filled with lots of sun), it will be a cold wet end to the Winter season. Oppositely, a more mild and warmer end of Winter was set to begin (the onset of Spring). Regardless of Phil's predictions today, it is much warmer today, at least for east TN, with temperatures in the 60's this weekend. I hope everyone enjoys their weekend of warmer temperatures and mostly sunny skies before the rain returns next week! 

Picture Source: Weather.com