6 More Weeks of Winter

6 more weeks of winter is on the way.  At least according to Punxsutawney Phil, the infamous ground hog.  On Gobblers Knob this morning Phil proclaimed 'As I look at the crowd on Gobblers Knob, many shadows do I see, so six more weeks of winter it must be.'

Since we haven't seen much of a winter in Upstate New York, this may come as good news to outdoor enthusiasts.  Skiers and snowmobilers haven't had much snow to enjoy all season.

But how accurate is Phil?   According to the StormFax Weather Almanac and records kept since 1887, Phil's predictions have been correct 39% of the time.

Alaska doesn't celebrate Groundhog Day because there are no groundhogs in the state. Instead, Alaskans celebrate Marmot Day on February 2nd. In 2009, then-Governor Sarah Palin signed a bill making the ground squirrel Alaska's version of Punxsutawney Phil.