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Groundhog's Day - Feb 1, 2008

Last Update: 2/01/2008 8:53 pm

From Natalie: What do you think about the ground hog forecasts?

     Every year the media gathers to find out what Punxsutawney Phil “predicts” for the remaining portion of winter. The story goes, if the reluctant critter sees his shadow and goes back into his hole then we can expect six more weeks of winter. If the rodent does not see his shadow, then spring is on the way.

     It’s all a bit silly but most understand it is just a fun tradition that has no scientific meaning or credibility. And no, I am not jealous, because this annual event is the most watched forecast of the year. A groundhog is a wood chuck, and a member of the squirrel family. If you put a television light over a fat squirrel then it should amaze no one that most of the time there will be a shadow.

     Groundhog’s day is based on a German tradition that on Candlemas Day, which was half way between the start of winter and the start of spring. It was said that if the weather was fair on that day, the second half of winter would be cold.

     Another source detailed how on Candlemas Day the clergy would bless the candles then distribute them to people during the short days of winter. They would put a lit candle in every window of their home. On February 2^nd, the midpoint of winter, if the weather was sunny then six more weeks of winter could be expected.

     The Puunxsutawney Sprit newspaper can claim credit for the popularity of groundhog’s day. In a column in 1886, the editor wrote, “Today is groundhog day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow.”

     Many cities have tried to get in on the attention. There is an albino groundhog in Canada named Wiarton Wille that predicts winter for those north of the border. There are many others such as Jimmy the Groundhog in Wisconsin, Peewee the Woodchuck in Vermont, and Birmingham Bill which happens to live in Birmingham, Alabama. However, my favorite may be the rodent from New York City known as, Pothole Pete.

     If you have a weather question for Dan, send it to: askdan@kjrh.com

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