We’ve had it up to here with you, Punxsutawney Phil.
Amid one of the worst winters in years, New Hampshire’s Merrimack Police Department reported that it has put out a warrant for the arrest of the weather-savvy groundhog.
New England has seen record snowfall this year; as cities attempt to clear foot after foot of the fluffy white stuff, the fluffy brown rodent is being blamed for not alerting municipalities.
“He told several people that Winter would last 6 more weeks, however he failed to disclose that it would consist of mountains of snow! If you see him, do not approach him as he is armed and dangerous,” the local police force wrote in a Facebook post.
Related: Punxsutawney Phil clashes with Staten Island Chuck over Groundhog Day forecast
This year’s frequent and heavy snow storms have already eaten up 70% of the state’s Department of Transportation winter maintenance budget. With another storm heading towards the state on Sunday, police are taking matters into their own hands.
“We have received several complaints from the public that this little varmint is held up in a hole, warm and toasty,” they wrote.
The warrant for the weather-rodent is just the latest attempt at levity amid a brutal winter. In Boston, which has been particularly hard hit, a snow Yeti has emerged to offer a helping hand digging out cars and homes (and giving interviews: the Yeti is a Vegan!) to lighten the mood.
Although Phil knocked it out of the park with last year’s prediction, the forecasting ability of the groundhog – also known as a woodchuck or a whistle-pig – is generally poor. According to the National Climatic Data Center, Phil’s predictions have missed the mark more than 55% of the time over the past 27 years.
Jane Timm