The legendary “Punxsutawney Phil” went above and beyond his call of duty this Groundhog Day. The ”King of the Groundhogs” was summoned from his wooden house this morning before to foretell spring’s arrival. The little guy didn’t see his shadow, which means spring is right around the corner!

What this does this mean for us? Well, if you believe Pennsylvanian German folklore and your elementary school teachers, you can count on spending a lot of time outside on the Main Green, shedding that extra layer when you go out at night, and—cross your fingers, knock on wood—enjoying a beautiful Spring Weekend.

In the meantime, when you’re braving the cold and bundling up to walk from Wriston to Pembroke for your 9 a.m. class, tough it out: remember that this “Weather Prophet” didn’t see his shadow, Binder is coming soon, and another “Weather Prophet” went commando at the White House.

Nothing like the promise of a Milano cookie to get you up in the morning. — Courtesy of Reuters

This morning Punxsy Phil (as he is apparently affectionately known) poked his head out into the ridiculously terrible weather to declare that winter is coming to an end! With no shadow in sight, legend has it we will be treated to an early spring. You can see video coverage here.

And keep reading! There’s a conspiracy buried in here.

The announcement is hopeful, but completely incongruous with weather across the country. As Brown students wade through ankle-deep freezing slush to get to classes (that are really just never cancelled; RISD’s closed—what gives? anyway…), huge swaths of the country are suffering right along with us. [Read more →]

Groundhog Day is one of the stranger holidays celebrated in the United States, but it also is one of the coolest. Every year on February 2nd, a groundhog will emerge from its burrow into the brisk winter morning.  If the groundhog sees its shadow, it will run back into it’s burrow, signifying another 6 weeks of winter.  If the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow, it will run along, signifying a shortened winter.  The most famous groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil, who resides in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

So this morning, a crowd of nearly 40,000 gathered in Gobbler’s Knob as a group of old men in hats and tuxedos (also known as the “inner circle”) examined the rodent’s movements intently.  Unfortunately, Phil saw his shadow and ran back into his burrow, signifying a long winter.

…So don’t put those hats and gloves away just yet, Brunonia.  We must brace for the cold, for the groundhog has spoken.

— Matt Klimerman