Dig in for six more weeks of winter; Farmers’ Almanac predicts a shadow sighting this Groundhog Day

LEWISTON, ME – Don’t put away those heavy coats just yet. “America’s Favorite Almanac” predicts that when America’s favorite furry forecaster, Punxsutawney Phil, pops his head out of his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob this Friday morning, he’ll turn around and head right back in again!

Farmers’ Almanac weather forecasts for the month of February predict snow will coat much of the country before the sun shows its face again. According to Farmers’ Almanac, residents of the upper Great Plains and Northern Rockies can expect a powerful winter storm to pound the region in early February. In New England and the Mid-Atlantic, heavy snow is expected during the second week of month, with lesser amounts of accumulation building up through early March. Other regions, including the Great Lakes and many southern states, will get off easier, with light flurries falling through most of February. Regardless of the region, one thing is certain; winter isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

An ancient Celtic prophecy foretells that sunny weather on February 2, known in the Middle Ages as “Candlemas,” heralds a long winter. Medieval folk relied on hedgehogs to predict the coming of spring, while early American settlers found the local groundhogs more accessible. America’s oldest Groundhog Day celebration has occurred annually in Punxsutawney, Pa., since 1887, while the Farmers’ Almanac has been continually published since 1818. Since the young upstart Punxsutawney Phil first began prognosticating the weather, he has seen his shadow 96 times. He has foretold an early spring only 14 times in 120 years, the last time in 1999. Members of Phil’s “Inner Circle” claim his predictions are 100 percent accurate.

Unlike the groundhog, the Farmers’ Almanac uses a top-secret mathematical and astronomical formula to make its weather predictions. Instead of relying on his shadow, forecaster Caleb Weatherbee takes sunspot activity, tidal action, position of the planet and many other factors into consideration. Fans of the almanac say its annual weather forecast is accurate between 80 and 85 percent of the time.

Weather buffs unable to attend the celebration at Gobbler’s Knob this year can watch the fun on a future segment of “Farmers' Almanac TV”™, a 30-minute magazine-style series now airing on public television stations throughout the United States. A “Farmers' Almanac TV”™ crew will be on-hand in Punxsutawney Friday morning to record the festivities. Airdates will vary by location. More information on the series can be found at www.FarmersAlmanacTV.com.

About the Farmers’ Almanac:
The Farmers’ Almanac, which features an orange and green cover, has been published every year since 1818. It contains useful and interesting articles as well as long-range weather predictions, gardening advice, recipes and more. Editors Peter Geiger and Sandi Duncan are available for lively and informative interviews, either by phone or in person. Both love to talk about the weather, share useful Almanac trivia and advice, and to offer tips on how to “get back to the simple life.”

The Farmers’ Almanac and Farmers’ Almanac TV trademarks are licensed from Almanac Publishing Company.