February 2nd is Groundhog Day. If the groundhog comes out of its hole and sees its shadow, we are in store for 40 more days of winter.

Where did this weather folklore originate? In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The official groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil. The roots of Groundhog Day go back to the 6th century. February 2nd is 40 days after Christmas, which is also about the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

Germans began trying to predict how long winter would continue based on the hibernation patterns of bears in this later part of winter. When some Germans settled in Pennsylvania they switched from bears to groundhogs -- which also hibernate. According to Germans, the groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six week nap, but if the day is cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.