“Punxsutawney Phil is only right 40% of the time.” I read this in the local newspaper on Saturday, Groundhog’s Day. Fox News, NPR, CNN and CBS all said something similar.
No. The groundhog gets it right 100% of the time.
If it is cloudy when the groundhog comes out of his burrow on Groundhog’s Day and he doesn’t see his shadow, there’s six more weeks until spring; if it is sunny, the groundhog sees his shadow and scurries back into its burrow, and we have six more weeks of winter.
It’s the same thing, people.
Okay, I know. It’s just a little niggling thing that shouldn’t matter at all, but if you’re a fact stickler, don’t go dissing poor Phil for a poor track record. I don’t think he’s got the skills of meteorologist or anything, but the odds are stacked in his favor.