Every year on February 2nd- we celebrate Groundhogs Day. On Monday February 2nd 2026, the groundhog saw its shadow! When the groundhog emerges from their hibernation hole in February every year, an old German Folklore tells that if the Groundhog sees its own shadow, it scares the groundhog back into its hole and winter will be 6 weeks longer. If it is cloudy and the groundhog is not scared by its own shadow, then we will get to enjoy an early spring!
This folklore originated in Christian Festival of Candlemas and Older German Folklore, it is a very old tradition and was brought to the USA by German immigrants. The story dates back to 1887 in Pennsylvania. The old Candlemas proverb says, “If Candlemas be fair and bright, winter has another flight, if Candlemas brings clouds and rain, winter will not come again!”
The Pennsylvanian groundhog’s name is Punxsutawney Phil and he is from Philadelphia. Fun Fact: His prediction is only correct approximately 35-40% of the time!
