An Early Spring? Punxsutawney Phil Didn't See His Shadow!

Yousie

English Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

Yesterday, February 2, 2020, was not only Super Bowl Sunday (Super Bowl LIV), but also Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day isn't just a 1993 movie starring Bill Murray about a man who is stuck in time repeating the same day over and over again. It's a North American tradition to observe whether or not a groundhog that emerges from its burrow after hibernating through the winter will see its shadow. Legend says that if the groundhog sees its shadow, it'll be scared and go back into its burrow, signaling 6 more weeks of winter. If, however, the groundhog does not see its shadow, it means there will be an early spring.

This year, the most famous groundhog in America, Punxsutawney Phil (from the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania) didn't see his shadow! Does this really mean there will be an early spring? Well... not exactly. Phil has a terrible track record when it comes to predicting the weather. His forecast of 6 more weeks of winter or an early spring only has about a 39% accuracy rate. Still, this "holiday" is a fun tradition that many Americans recognize. 



It'll be best to stick to traditional meteorological weather forecasts... but even they aren't always accurate! Perhaps, in the future, we'll be able to accurately predict the weather 100% of the time, but until then, we may actually be better off just flipping a coin. 

本コラムは、講師個人の立場で掲載されたものです。
コラムに記載されている意見は、講師個人のものであり、カフェトークを代表する見解ではありません。

コメント (0)

ログインして、コメント投稿 ログイン »
Premium ribbon

出身国:

居住国:

教えるカテゴリ

講師の言語

英語   ネイティブ
フランス語   流暢
韓国語   流暢
スペイン語   流暢
ドイツ語   不便を感じない
ロシア語   不便を感じない
日本語   不便を感じない
スウェーデン語   不便を感じない
イタリア語   不便を感じない

Yousie講師の人気コラム

« 全講師コラム一覧へ戻る

お気軽にご質問ください!