Ground Hog – Chapin Brothers
Happy Ground Hog Day!
As roadside billboard on twisty-turny US 119 says driving into Punxsutawney, "Always Identify Your Target and What is Beyond It."
Ground Hog Facts
Between 1951 and 1969, the Punxsutawney Phil always saw his shadow. In comparison, between 2005 and 2025, the Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow 7 times. 🐻
The facts are simple — the Ground Hog is seeing his shadow less today then in years past. Long winters are becoming rarer.
Days Are Getting Longer
One of the hopeful observations of late is how much longer each day is getting. When I get out of work at 5 PM, it’s no longer dark, and often by the time I am home, there are still some hints of light.
Indeed, tonight the sun will not set until 5:23 PM. In contrast, on January 7 I tweeted that the sun will set at 4:39 PM, almost an hour earlier.
Daylight in coming weeks will grow an accelerating rate through March 21, when growth will slow as we head to the climax of daylight on June 21, the first day of summer.
The growth of daylight means warmer days are ahead. It may not feel that way in the depth of winter’s depression, but signs of spring are all around.
The chickens are laying more, the birds seem to be out more. The average high is now a few degrees above freezing, and when this cold spell ends, snow will start to melt away and signs of spring will become clearer.
El Nino vs. Total Snow in Albany in January
In Albany, a slight El Nino tends to mean more snow in January, but a strong El Nino like this year, usually means below normal snow.
Buffalo Blizzard Of 77 Slideshow – YouTube.
Talk about some cold weather.
Coldest Day of the Year in NY State
Generally, higher elevations have an earlier coldest day of the year, while areas farther west and lower elevations have a later coldest day of the year. I think the north-west later has to do with the sun angle, along with the way the Great Lakes impact the local climate.
