Groundhog predicts winter weather
Or does it?
On Feb. 2, a gloomy shadow sets in for either the countdown to spring or the reality of six more dreadful weeks of winter.
Groundhog Day is a tradition carried through history, predicting the remainder of the winter season in regard to when spring will begin.
According to legend, if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it fails to see its shadow, there will be an early spring.
The celebration of Groundhog Day has been an ongoing tradition followed by most of the United States. One group in particular, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, takes special interest in the day. Each year in Punxsutawney, Pa., a crowd gathers to watch Punxsutawney Phil emerge from the ground.
According to the club’s Web site, www.groundhog.org, the origin of the groundhog legend is “clouded in the mists of time with ethnic cultures and animals awakening on specific dates.” The first known Groundhog Day celebration was held in the 1800s.
Because of the importance behind prediction of the weather, there is said to be only one groundhog capable of making such an announcement to the world — Punxsutawney Phil. Because Phil is unable to speak English, though, the inner circle president at Punxsutawney has been trained to communicate with the beloved groundhog in “Groundhogese,” according to the Groundhog Club.
The club also says that, over the past 120 years, there has only been one Punxsutawney Phil, who gets his longevity from magic “groundhog punch.”
Depending on geographic locations, the tale of the groundhog and his shadow may be more accurate. In North Dakota, accurate spring-weather predictions may be unheard of. North Dakotan meteorologists can attest to this sentiment.
“ Through my experiences with the weather, I think if we find out we have six more weeks of winter, that’s a good thing because that means winter will be finishing up in the middle of March,” WDAY weatherman John Wheeler said. “I have seen winter weather through April and into May so if the groundhog says six more weeks, it’s a good thing around here.”
Children and those with a bit of an imagination may have more of an appreciation for the Groundhog and his prediction, but those relying on science alone may have a hard time accepting the holiday.
“ Past the fourth grade, I think believing the groundhog’s prediction is silly because it doesn’t affect the weather,” Wheeler said. “It’s more of a jokey thing that probably wouldn’t be in existence today if it weren’t for the media making such a big deal out of it.”
Because the weather is one big prediction, many people who depend upon the weather find it necessary to make forecasts depending upon natural signs rather than scientific research.
“ A lot of people such as farmers and hunters depend upon natural signs to predict the weather, but the chances of a groundhog making an accurate prediction is not very good,” Wheeler said. “I don’t think a lot of people wake up Feb. 2 and look out to see if the sun is shining.”