Will the Groundhogs Predict Winter? (Probably Not)

Groundhog Day is going to be on Friday! Every year, on February 2nd, this tradition is celebrated around the country. It is based on the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog finds its shadow after coming out of its burrow, it will move back into the burrow, signifying that winter will continue for another 6 months (or, if it does not, then spring will arrive early).

Some communities have their own groundhog. Most famous of all is the rodent in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, named Punxsutawney Phil. There is, however, the local Hanford Hank in Hanford (of course). But how accurate are these superstitions from centuries ago? According to Live Science, the legendary Phil is only right 39% of the time. You could get more accurate data from flipping a coin!

So, why is it that the tradition continues, despite the fact that humans are far more capable of predicting an early spring themselves? To celebrate, of course! Here's to another excuse for people to party and drink for years to come.