Punxsutawney, PA - GROUND HOG'S DAY - FEB. 2, 2023
Gov. Josh Shapiro is actually there (this is the first time I have ever "seen" a PA governor there at the event although I haven't researched if/when previous ones have gone there).
Stream - https://www.visitpa.com/live-stream-phils-prediction
I can't believe they are doing fireworks at 6:30 in the morning. 
(ETA - the temp is 17F there 
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= new reply since forum marked as read
would assume:
It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog_Day
Doesn't it seem like if he emerged, and saw his shadow because of a sunny clear day that would mean spring would arrive early instead?
Such are superstitions, I guess. Not meant to make sense.
"clear skies" (and usually gentle or no wind) means "perfect radiational cooling" and thus very low temps and "not time to come out of hibernation". 
Temp had dropped to 14 there before sunrise.
with tons of holes in my sisters' yards as well as ravaging through their veggie gardens. They are not just a western PA thing.
*I* call them that because they ARE "hogs" (not literal species though)- and sometimes called "whistle pigs". I have actually heard a couple groundhog babies at my sister's house "whistling" in alarm under her deck looking for their mother..
Link to tweet
@NWS_MountHolly
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As we await the groundhog's winter prediction, let's look back at how the groundhog's predictions have done in the past. Courtesy of @NOAANCEI:
https://ncei.noaa.gov/news/groundhog-day-forecasts-and-climate-history
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7:17 AM · Feb 2, 2023
It's supposed to warm up here in eastern PA after this weekend's expected arctic blast. I guess as long as the cold snap takes out those damn lanternflies and stinkbugs, I'll be happy.
What are you? A Democrat? 
Phil's 40% success rate over a 10 year period, ain't bad.
Of course "6 weeks" from now is the vernal equinox so... 
NOAA's NCEI (National Centers for Environmental Information) has been tracking his predictions and has the data back to 1887 for his first - https://data.ydr.com/punxsutawney-phil-groundhog-day-shadow-history/
but I know that many pets are horrified.
I didn't run into that until one of my sisters got a black lab about 7 years ago and saw how he freaked out on July 4.
let alone their enhanced aural ability/sensitivity. We laugh about how their dog "can hear an Amazon truck coming from 2 blocks away" and will start barking.
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@NWSNewYorkNY
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Record Warmth took place last month (January) with records being set at all six of our climate sites (Central Park, LaGuardia, Kennedy, Islip, Newark, and Bridgeport). See the image for the details! #nycwx #nywx #njwx #ctwx #liwx
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4:24 PM · Feb 1, 2023
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The wait is over. ❄️❄️
Central Park recorded the first measurable snowfall of the season this morning, with nearly half an inch as of 5:30 AM.
This is latest first measurable snowfall for the season since record keeping began in 1869. #NYwx
5:49 AM · Feb 1, 2023
CPK did get 0.1" more than we did here at PHL though but the handwriting was on the wall!
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@NWS_MountHolly
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🗒️🌡️💧 The January 2023 climate summary is here! It's no surprise that the entire area was 8-11° above normal for the month. In fact, Allentown and Georgetown experienced their warmest January on record. #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx
January 2023 climate summary for the region. All stations experienced a top 4 warmest January on record.
12:44 PM · Feb 1, 2023
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The streak...is over. There was 0.3" of snow measured in Philly this morning. Thus ends the consecutive days without measurable snow in Philly streak at 325 days. Time to start a new streak!
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7:38 AM · Feb 1, 2023
... but I never take down my storm windows until mid-May. I've lived here too long and I know how those warm days can fool us into thinking it's over. Then Bam! The nasty cold weather is right back here again. We've gotten snow in April a few times, but it's gone right away.
I never get too excited by Punxsutawney Phil's predictions.
Some years he is feisty and looking around at the madness and crowds but this morning, he was either completely frozen from the cold or was "just chilling" thinking "What a bunch of fools...".
