The winter storm blowing through the United States apparently won't disrupt Punxsutawney's Groundhog Day plans. (My question: What happens if the snow is too thick for Punxsutawney Phil to get out of his hole?)

From The Associated Press:

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. — A day before Punxsutawney Phil gives his annual Groundhog Day weather forecast, his handlers say the show will go on despite a winter weather warning.
The National Weather Service is calling for as much as seven inches of snow in Punxsutawney, followed by a possible mix of sleet and freezing rain overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning when Phil "forecasts" either an early spring or six more weeks of winter.
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle’s spokesman Luke Webber says nothing will prevent Phil from celebrating a milestone since his first appearance in 1887.
Webber says Wednesday "is our 125th anniversary of Punxsutawney Phil, and his fans will come out. The hotels are well-booked."
Several thousand people are expected for the daybreak celebration about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

If you're interested in tomorrow's winter-weather prediction, you might have some interest in Jeffrey L. Frischkorn's post on the Outdoors blog with some facts about groundhogs. Click through to learn more about our furry, burrowing friends.


-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com