Groundhog Day 2012: Behind Phil's Immortal Allure
With ancient origins, "immortal" rodent Punxsutawney Phil rules Groundhog Day 2012. Get the surprising facts behind winter's wackiest U.S. weather prediction.
"I've met people here from Russia, Germany, and the U.K.," said Tom Chapin, editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper. "People can't believe we do this every year. They can't believe we stand out in the cold and wait for a marmot to emerge from a stump. Some of this stuff you can't make up."
(See "Groundhog Day Pictures: Punxsutawney Phil, Now and Then.")
The famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil will make his much anticipated prognostication this Thursday on Groundhog Day 2012. According to legend, the rodent will predict whether spring will arrive early this year. (Watch a groundhog video.)
"The event actually goes from February 1st to the 4th," said Groundhog Day event coordinator Katie Donald.
On years when Groundhog Day falls
