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Iconic forecasting animals in Texas favored an end to winter for this year’s Groundhog Day, Monday, Feb. 2, contradicting the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil.
Groundhog Day occurs on Feb. 2, the estimated midpoint between the winter solstice, the shortest and darkest day of the year, and the spring equinox, the first official day of spring where day and night are equal. The tradition started in America with the Pennsylvania Dutch settlers who took inspiration from Germanic Europe.
The longest-running and most famous Groundhog Day forecaster is Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phi l. This year, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter while thousands gathered to watch and celebrate. However, Bee Cave Bob, Big Al and Beans in Texas all predicted an end to winter.
