Winter

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Days Below Zero, Past 20 Years

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This past weekend's negative 13 degree weather is quite rare in recent years. We've only had two days colder then that over the past two decades, and that was 15 years ago. Some of it's the urban heat island effect, while other is the climate is warming everywhere, New York included.

Days Below Zero, Past 20 Years

For a while I thought about going to Punxsutawney for Ground Hog Day 🐻

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But the truth is Ground Hog Day is in the middle of winter – literally – and kind of cold. There isn’t a lot of camping areas nearby so there is a good chance that I’d have to stay in a hotel and I hate staying indoors when I travel. It’s such an early morning, high on a steep hill that this morning was probably quite icy with the snow that came down. So I’m kind of glad I just watched the celebration on my phone, even though it would have been a perfect day to go down there, being a Sunday morning.

So the Ground Hog Saw His Shadow

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No shadow, and lots of snow on the way the next few days.

So the Ground Hog Saw His Shadow

Regardless, it means we are halfway through winter, and the coldest weather is beyond us. As long as the snow is relegated to the weekdays, when I am safely at work, I am fine with that. I just don’t want an ice storm and risk losing power.

Shadow

I look forward to more road trips and camping, once it warms up a bit more and there are places I can go that are snow-free. I thought about taking my truck to the car wash, but that didn’t happen because I figured it would be cold and I have  to probably get dirty this weekend.

Ground Hog Facts

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Between 1951 and 1969, the Punxsutawney Phil always saw his shadow. In comparison, between 2005 and 2024, 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.

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."