How Much Shadow Can a Groundhog See?

Remember the tongue-twisting riddle “How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” The Associated Press published a concrete answer to this riddle, but to this day there is still much speculation as to really how much wood a woodchuck could indeed chuck.

But, TODAY in America, the woodchuck must move aside from the limelight and make way for the groundhog. One named Punxsutawney Phil to be exact. For 131 years now, a celebration on February 2nd begins when American wake up and eagerly await important weather news from Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when Groundhog Phil emerges from his Punxsutawney burrow on this day, then the spring season will arrive early, some time before the vernal equinox; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its den, and winter weather will persist for six more weeks. Today, it seems we will have six more weeks of winter as it were.

Modern customs of Groundhog Day involve week-long celebrations leading up to the day to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow. Crowds swell to numbers as much as 40,000 onlookers during Groundhog Week in Punxsatawney. There are breakfasts with Groundhog Phil, the Crowning of Little Mr. & Miss Groundhog, Doggie competitions of groundhog outfits, Art shows, chainsaw carving, scavenger hunts, concerts, dances … even an evening grand ball!

But, can the future weather season really be determined on the actions of one celebrity groundhog? How much shadow could a groundhog see if the groundhog can’t see shadows?

Here at iHAMMS, we exercise actionable intelligence and make relevant business decisions with certainty. We don’t look in the shadows for answers.

But, we do love the furry animals nonetheless!