Myth: If a Groundhog Sees His Shadow...

Myth: If a groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog's Day (February 2), the weather will remain cold for six more weeks. If he doesn't see his shadow then there will be an early spring. It's that time of year, it is Groundhog's Day (again) and in light of this I thought it would be nice to dig around the myth that is associated with this day.
 
Answer: There is a very slim truth to this myth, however, Mr. Punxsutawney Phil cannot forecast your weather for the next six weeks.

The Science: During the winter if you can see a clean crisp shadow then it is likely cold outside, due to a cold dry air mass that is likely overhead. On the other hand if it is cloudy outside, hence no shadow, then there is likely a warm moist air mass overhead. This is what the myth is based on, but we all know that it could be cloudy and snowy, which is why this myth is not really true.

Fun Facts about Groundhog Day: This is the first week in February, the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. 

So why do we take a rodents advice on the weather? Well, in the olden days they would watch for hibernating animals, like the groundhog, to come out of hibernation as a sign that winter was coming to an end. 

So how did this all start? Back in the 1800's some people of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania went out looking for groundhogs on February 2nd, Candlemas Day.  Candlemas Day is a Christian holiday that marks Mary's ritual purification. It was even believed by early Christians that if the sun came out on Candlemas Day then winter would last for six more weeks. Anyway, the people of Punxsutawney made looking for groundhogs a tradition on this day, and in 1887 it became an official event in the town.





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