A Little Help Please?

Well today is February 2, so the calendar says. Groundhogs across the United States were unwilling participants in that annual tradition of Groundhogs Day. According to my source, Punxsutawney Phil poo'ed all over the smartly dressed gentleman who was elected to draw (pull unwillingly) him out of his den. The results were not surprising. Phil saw his shadow and so there will be 6 more weeks of winter.

Okay now here is where the confusion starts for me. 6 more weeks of winter...hmmm...well doesn't winter last until the vernal equinox which usually occurs on or around March 21? That one day of the year when day and night are nearly the same length and the sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward and signifies the start of spring? Well according to my calendar that is just over 6 weeks away. So doesn't Phil always have to see his shadow to make a create prediction? And what kind of prediction is that anyway - predicting fact?

Well for argument's sake let's say he is predicting the end of winter like weather not just the end of the winter season. So let's say Phil seeing his shadow is an indication that we are in for 6 more weeks of winter weather. Winter weather? Now doesn't that sound like we have had winter weather before this date? That his prediction is a continuation of an existing condition? See now I am really confused. We have lacked winterlike weather all winter, how on earth can we expect 6 more weeks of it? Wouldn't it still be springlike, as it has been almost all winter?

Well of course this prediction would have to be northern hemisphere specific. Whether or not he is predicting the end of the winter season or the end of winter weather it concerns only the northern half of the world. Anyway I digress....it would appear that poor Punxsutawney Phil was pulled from his den for really no reason, unless I just missed the point entirely. So which is it? In the event that he sees/doesn't see his shadow, we will have/not have 6 more weeks of winter/winterlike weather? Anyone out there care to clarify this for me? Perhaps those smartly dressed Inner Circle dignitaries should put those top hats and tuxs to better use. Let poor Phil sleep...just leave his food at the door and kindly, quietly leave already.

Oh and don't even get me started on pondering Phil's residence...Gobbler's Knob? Gobbler's Knob of all names? Did you know that they have even gone so far as to specifically locate the distinquished groundhog's residence?
GPS Coordinates
Gobbler's Knob is located at the following coordinates (these readings were taken with a GPS unit placed on the stump on the stage at Gobbler's Knob):
N40.93027 W78.95772 (hddd.ddddd°)
N40 55.816 W78 57.463 (hddd°mm.mmm')

This all is making me tired. Someone quickly clear this up for me so I can rest easier. Well unless you are in the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club...