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Ground Hog Day

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Today is Ground Hog Day, when Punxsutawney Phil is pulled out of his den to find out if he has a shadow, and to forecast the rest of the winter season. We all hope that he does not see his shadow, so that by some act of nature the spring will come six weeks earlier. It’s unlikely though, especially in the northeast.

Frame 59

It’s been awful snowy all winter, including one bitterly cold burst during January. You can argue it’s been worst then most years. The good news is that the worst is beyond us, and mud season can only be a dozen or so weeks away. Some how getting your truck stuck in the mud and muck beats this terrible winter weather.

Distant Mountains

We all want this season will come to an end. It was fun at first, but not so much now. Things will get warm, and it will be wonderful spring then summer. We will be sweating once again outdoors, and spending long nights looking up at the moon, sitting around the campfire. But for now, enjoy the cold.

Ground Hog – Chapin Brothers

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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

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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

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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.

Dip in Road

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.

Route 406

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.

Five Rivers Road

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.

Dark Early

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.