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Every February 2nd, North Americans (particularly in the colder parts) hear news broadcasts about the local groundhog’s weather forecast for the spring. The groundhog emerges from his hole in the ground, looks around and if he sees his shadow, winter will persist for 6 more weeks. If he doesn’t see his shadow because it’s cloudy outside – spring will come early. It doesn’t really seem to work around here, but I am always hoping for spring.

Groundhog Day Origin

We think of Groundhog Day as North American, but we actually borrowed the tradition from Germany, where an animal predicts the weather/spring on Candlemas (February 2), and depending on the region, it may be a badger, a bear or even a fox.

Groundhog FAQs

• Groundhogs are members of the marmot family
• Groundhogs are also known as Whistlepigs and Woodchucks
• A groundhog can have as many as 9 babies per year
• A groundhog hole can be as long as 10 meters

This year, as we enter our another pandemic year, the groundhog’s silly news will give me even more distraction and hopefully he will predict spring.

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