30 years of groundhog forecasts, mapped

[elleng]

Editor's note: Our colleagues in the Graphics department had a burning question: can groundhogs really predict the weather? They ran the numbers on 250 cities over 30 years. Here's what they found out.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/01/31/40-years-of-groundhog-forecasts-mapped/

[ffr]

1. But is says 40.

[CrispyQ]

2. Kicking for fun.

Hoping some station today is playing Groundhog's Day. I'm not big on comedy's, but I love that one.

"Don't drive mad."

[oldandhappy]

3. yep, a groundhog is just a groundhog

Smile.

We all know we will have winter for another six weeks. But it makes for good TV, right??!!

[elleng]

4. Guess so,

and I actually HAVE groundhogs, I probably won't see 'mine' until it's REAL Spring! (AFTER the Cherry Blossoms, March 20 - April 12th-ish, wherein the FESTIVAL!)

[oldandhappy]

5. ahhhh Sweet!

Thanks!

[elleng]

6. You're welcome, oldandhappy!

I didn't know what they were when I saw them last year, my first year out here, so consulted with my daughter and her friends who know more about the wildlife around southern MD. Now I know what to look for!

[pinboy3niner]

9. Nice marmot

[elleng]

12. I just learned: Marmots mostly live in mountainous areas . . .

the Rocky Mountains, Black Hills, Cascades, Pacific Ranges, and Sierra Nevada in North America. . .

The groundhog of North America is a lowland marmot. The similarly sized, but more social, prairie dog is not classified in the genus Marmota but in the related genus Cynomys.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmot

[Phentex]

10. They are just cute for some reason...

I feel sorry for the poor things that have to put on the dog and pony show for the weather people. But in general, I think they are cute so I kinda like groundhog's day.

[elleng]

13. I thought the ones I saw were kind of cute too,

saw them outside my living room window. We're all longing for spring, so I guess I don't criticize the dog and pony show.

[Historic NY]

7. Freaking rodent saw his shadow....

meanwhile its snowing here.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/02/02/groundhog-day-2015-punxsutawney-phil-sees-shadow-predicts-six-more-weeks-of-winter/

[ChisolmTrailDem]

8. Groundhog evolution has not kept up with climate change. Phil is the victim

of environmental changes that are occurring faster than a groundhog's ability to predict the seasons is evolving.

Just another tick on the long list of changes being wrought by climate change.

[Jefferson23]

11. Or woodchucks..another name. We see them on our property sometimes in the warmer weather.

The mother waddles and the babies follow her, there are usually 3, 4 the most.

They will dig some holes, but nothing too damaging that we have seen. Maybe we
have just been lucky in that regard..I don't know.

Spring, March 20th...yay!

[elleng]

14. YAY SPRING!

There are holes in my yard, do have to watch where I step.

[Jefferson23]

15. We're having freezing rain now on top of the many inches of snow we had last night.

46 more days, elleng..but who's obsessed, me? Yes.

[elleng]

16. I'd be obsessed with that weather too, Jefferson.

Rain and high of 50 here today, 36 tomorrow and down to 32 Friday, and maybe some snow showers Thursday evening!

[Jefferson23]

17. 50 degrees is great! Won't be here soon enough for me...stay well. n/t