It's that time of year when we pitch the modern advances of meteorology, and we pin our hopes of an early spring on the bashful shadow of a portly prognosticator from the keystone state. Yep, Punxsutawney Phil, groundhog extraordinaire, will head (or be forced) outdoors on February 2 at 7:00 a.m. EST to see or not to see his shadow.

Learn more about this venerable winter tradition and my favorite furry forecaster.

Update:  Phil Says Spring is Right Around the Corner!

Phil's official forecast as read 2/2/07 at 7:28 a.m. at Gobbler's Knob:

El Nino has caused high winds, heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures in the west.
Here in the East with much mild winter weather we have been blessed.

Global warming has caused a great debate.
This mild winter makes it seem just great.

On this Groundhog Day we think of one thing.
Will we have winter or will we have spring?

On Gobbler's Knob I see no shadow today.
I predict that early spring is on the way.