Ever Wondered Whether Groundhogs Can Predict the Weather?

Today, just like every Feb. 2, is Groundhog Day. But it is not a day to celebrate groundhogs.

Instead, it is the day when groundhogs supposedly predict the weather. The most famous is Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and here's what happens -- at least according to the day's legend:

· Phil is awakened from his winter hibernation and taken outside to see whether he casts a shadow on the ground. (Remember that hibernation is when some animals go into a special sleep during winter.)

· If he sees his shadow, he goes back to sleep, and humans know that winter will continue for six more weeks.

· If Phil sees no shadow, he supposedly does not go back to sleep, because he has sensed the start of spring.

How did this tradition get started?

In ancient times, people of different cultures celebrated Feb. 2 to mark the coming of warmer weather because the day is midway between the start of winter and spring. Candles were lit in a festival of lights to mark the day, and it became known as Candlemas. (The Catholic Church later declared a festival to honor Jesus on that day.)

People living many years ago also used that day to predict the weather. Tradition said that if Feb. 2 was sunny, it meant winter would last for six more weeks. If it was cloudy, winter was said to be nearly over.

Now take those traditions and add this: Farmers used to look for the reappearance of hibernating animals to tell them when spring had arrived. Early American settlers relied on the groundhog.