Ground-Hog Day
February 2
Four-footed forecaster
Do you think that a small, furry animal can tell what the weather is
going to be like? Some people in the United States think that the ground
hog, or woodchuck, can.
On February 2, these people watch to see what the ground hog will do
when it comes out of its snug, underground den. They think that if the
ground hog is frightened by its shadow, it will crawl back into its den.
If it does, there will be six more weeks of winter. But if the ground
hog does not see its shadow, spring weather will come soon.
The superstition that on February 2 an animal can forecast the weather
goes back hundreds of years. Long ago, farmers in Germany watched to see
what badgers would
do on this date. They thought that if the badger saw its shadow and
crawled back into its hole to go to sleep, there would be six more weeks
of cold weather. If this happened, the farmers would be late with spring
planting and have poor crops.
Naturally, everyone hoped that February 2 would be dark and cloudy so
the badger would not see its shadow. Then the farmers could get ready
for spring planting and look forward to a good crop.
German farmers who came to the United States brought this superstition
with them. These farmers first settled in the East, where there are no
badgers. But they soon discovered that the ground hog is much like the
badger. So they took to watching the ground hog on February 2. And that
is how the superstition about the ground hog and its shadow got started
in the United States.
Is the ground hog always right? You can find out for yourself. Next
February 2, note in your diary if the day is clear or cloudy. Then keep
careful track of the weather during the next six weeks.
