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        February 4, 2008

(CNN Student News) -- February 4, 2008 Groundhog Day - Discover a famous forecaster's prediction for the rest of winter. Word to the Wise AZUZ: A Word to the Wise... prognosticate (verb) big word; short definition: to predict source: www.wordcentral.com Groundhog Day LLOYD: On Saturday, a pair of animal prognosticators made their annual predictions about the winter weather. We're talking about Groundhog Day! You know how this one works: See a shadow? Six more weeks of winter. In Georgia, General Beauregard Lee says spring is coming soon. But what about his more famous friend Phil? David Ariosto gives us the furry weatherman's forecast. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to get serious about Groundhog Day! DAVID ARIOSTO, CNN REPORTER: Six more weeks of winter. That's according to Punxsutawney Phil, America's famous groundhog. In one of Pennsylvania's more peculiar traditions, thousands descended on the small borough of Punxsutawney to listen to the seasonal forecast of a bleary-eyed rodent. Legend has it that if the groundhog sees its shadow, winter will last another 6 weeks; if not, spring comes early. Hoisted from his tree stump by men in top hats and tuxedos, Phil allegedly makes his prediction. Standing before a crowd of anxious onlookers, Phil's ambassador then passed on the grim forecast. ANNOUNCER: As I look around me, a bright sky I see and a shadow beside me. Six more weeks of winter it will be. ARIOSTO: Each year on February 2nd, thousands of Phil fans travel to Punxsutawney for a tradition that's gained international appeal. Even Hollywood immortalized the custom with it's 1993 release of the film "Groundhog Day." FROM GROUNDHOG DAY MOVIE: A thousand people freezing their butts off, waiting to worship a rat. ARIOSTO: According to the official Web site of Punxsutawney's Groundhog Club, the tradition developed from old Germanic customs brought to America by Pennsylvania's early German settlers. Centuries later, excited travelers still celebrate this old tradition, paying tribute to the groundhog. David Ariosto, CNN. (END VIDEO CLIP)

  

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