Groundhog Day is Coming

Ok, it’s time to discuss the rules of Groundhog Day. 

On February 2, a groundhog will predict the weather by looking for his shadow. 

If it's sunny out, and he sees it, we're in for six more weeks of winter. 

On the other hand, a cloudy Groundhog Day is supposed to forecast an early spring.

Even though it’s popular to assume Groundhog Day began as a European Christian Holiday, it actually has Pagan Origins before it became known as Candlemas for early Christians. Groundhog Day began as a pagan holiday called “Imbolc”, a seasonal turning point in the Celtic calendar.

6 More Weeks Of Winter

It's Groundhog Day. Will there be an early spring? Or are we in for another six weeks of winter? 

Punxsutawney Phil, the "Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary," has made his official forecast. 

The iconic groundhog emerged from his burrow shortly before 7:30 a.m. eastern time Tuesday and saw his shadow, which means there will be six more weeks of winter, unwelcome news for those hoping for an early spring. 

Phil Predicts Spring

America's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, did not see his shadow Saturday and predicted an early spring.

Groundhog Day

 

Groundhog Day is celebrated each year on February 2. 
On this day in mid-winter, the groundhog awakens from a long winter's nap, and goes outside of his den to see if he sees his shadow.

If the groundhog sees his shadow on a sunny morning, there will be six more weeks of winter. He then returns to his den and goes back to sleep. If however, he does not see his shadow because it's a cloudy day, he plays around outside of his hole for a while. If he does not see his shadow, spring is just around the corner.
The Groundhog's Day tradition comes from German roots.  In the early 1800's, German immigrants to America, brought the tradition of predicting winter weather on February 2. In their native Germany, they used Hedgehogs to predict weather. As they settled in the hills of Pennsylvania, they began the tradition, using the Groundhog to predict the the arrival of Spring. The tradition is based upon Candlemas, the day that is the midpoint between Winter and Spring. 
A famous Candlemas poems goes:

"If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again."