Groundhog Day is a staple for predicting the weather. The earliest known mention of Groundhog Day was February 2, 1840, mentioned in the diary of James L. Morris. The groundhog makes his prediction by either seeing his shadow or not seeing his shadow. If the groundhog sees his shadow due to clear weather, he retreats into his den, which means 6 more weeks of winter. If the weather is cloudy and the groundhog does not see his shadow, it means that spring will come early.

Groundhog day has been derived from all sorts of traditions over time. Some of its roots come from the old Christian tradition of Candlemas, when the clergy would distribute candles for winter, and it would show how long the winter would last. Germans later continued this tradition, though they slightly changed it by selecting an animal to predict the weather instead. Mercy Catota (10) explains the happiness this holiday brings her. 

“I enjoy this holiday because it brings people together to see a lovely little groundhog,” Catota said.

Ever since Catota was a child, she has watched the groundhog make its prediction on television. 

“I watched the groundhog come out of its hole on television when I was younger,” Catota said.

For the past 2 years, the groundhog has predicted that it will be winter for 6 more weeks. Although the groundhog’s prediction has become a holiday, his predictions aren’t always accurate. His weather prediction has only a 39% accuracy rate.

“Sadly I don’t believe in its weather predictions because the groundhog has predicted 6 more weeks of winter before, but it has not been true,” Catota said.

Some people hope for that extra 6 weeks of winter, while others are ready for springtime to begin. No matter what the groundhog’s prediction is, the tradition still causes great excitement f0r kids and adults alike.