Tag Archives: folklore

Groundhog Day 2015

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Today is Groundhog Day, the midpoint of the winter season.

On this day, according to legend, the weather conditions for the second half of winter can be predicted by the behavior of a prognosticating groundhog.  If the groundhog sees its shadow after emerging from its burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter.  If it does not see its shadow, then spring will arrive early.

The practice of using animal behavior to predict future weather conditions goes back to ancient times.  The particular custom that we are familiar with in the United States grew out of the old world tradition of Candlemas brought by German settlers to Pennsylvania in the 1880s. Today, many communities across the U.S. and Canada continue this age-old ritual with their own special groundhogs.

The most famous of these furry forecasters is Punxsutawney Phil from Pennsylvania – he was portrayed in the 1993 film, “Groundhog Day”. This year, despite an overcast sky, Phil saw his shadow and is calling for six more weeks of wintry conditions.

In New York City, our local weather-groundhog is Charles G. Hogg – more popularly known as “Staten Island Chuck”.  Coming out of his burrow this morning, he did not see his shadow and is predicting an early spring for the Big Apple.

Long-range forecasts are a tricky business, so a difference of opinion is not that uncommon. Either way, the spring equinox is 46 days away.

Groundhog Day 2014

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Today is Groundhog Day, the midway point of the winter season.

On this day, according to legend, the weather conditions for the second half of winter can be predicted by the behavior of a prognosticating groundhog.  If the groundhog sees its shadow after emerging from its burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter.  If it does not see its shadow, then spring will arrive early.

In New York City, our local weather-groundhog is Charles G. Hogg – more popularly known as “Staten Island Chuck”.  Earlier this morning, he saw his shadow and is predicting  another six weeks of wintry conditions for the Big Apple.

On the job since 1981, Staten Island Chuck’s “forecasts” have been correct about 82% of the time.

Staten Island Chuck, the resident weather groundhog at the Staten Island Zoo. Image Credit: SILive

Charles G.Hogg, VII – the resident weather groundhog at the Staten Island Zoo in New York City.    Image Credit: SILive

March: Lion and Lamb

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“March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb”.

This old proverb refers to March’s famously changeable weather.  As a month where we transition from winter to spring, March can often start off cold and blustery, but end warm and calm.  From the beginning to the end of the month, average daily temperatures typically increase by 10°F. Exact conditions, of course, vary from year to year.

Although the precise origins of this popular phrase are unknown, many believe it is based on the constellations.  At the beginning of March, Leo (lion) is prominent in the night sky, while Aries (sheep) begins to rise toward the end of the month.

Groundhog Day 2013

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Today is Groundhog Day, the halfway point of the winter season.

According to folklore, on this particular date, the weather conditions of the second half of winter can be forecast by the shadow of a prognosticating groundhog.  Upon emerging from its burrow, if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.  If it does not see its shadow, then spring will arrive early.

In New York City, our local weather-groundhog is “Staten Island Chuck”. This year, he did not see his shadow and is predicting an early arrival of spring-like conditions for the city.

Staten Island Chuck, officially known as Charles G. Hogg VII

Staten Island Chuck, officially known as Charles G. Hogg VII

Image Credit: silive.com

Groundhog Day

Posted on by

Today is Groundhog Day, the midway point of the winter season.

According to folklore, on this particular date, the weather conditions of the second half of winter can be forecast by the shadow of a prognosticating groundhog.  Upon emerging from its burrow, if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.  If it does not see its shadow, then spring will arrive early.

The practice of using animal behavior to predict future weather conditions goes back to ancient times.  The particular custom that we are familiar with in the United States began in 1886 with the old world traditions of German settlers in Pennsylvania. Today, many communities across the U.S. and Canada continue this age-old ritual with their own special groundhogs.

In New York City, our local weather-groundhog is Staten Island Chuck. His rival is the well-known Punxsutawney Phil from Pennsylvania.  This year, Punxsutawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter while Staten Island Chuck is calling for an early spring.  Given the spring-like conditions that have dominated this winter so far, who can blame them for a difference of opinion.

Ground-truth at the Early Bermuda Weather Stone

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Ground-truth, the eyewitness verification of atmospheric conditions, is an important part of weather reporting.  It supplements the data received from remote-sensing equipment like radar and satellites.

On a recent trip to Bermuda, an island that gets its fair share of severe weather, I came across the Early Bermuda Weather Stone in a park near Fort Scaur.  At first glance I thought this was a bit of local humor, but then it hit me.  This hanging rock is exactly what it claims to be, “…the perfect weather indication.”   In essence, it is a ground-truth indicator. The instructions on its sign sum up how to verify the current local atmospheric conditions.  It states:

  • A dry stone means… it is not raining.
  • A wet stone means… it is raining.
  • A shadow under the stone means… the sun is shining.
  • If the stone is swinging it means… there is a strong wind blowing.
  • If the stone jumps up and down it means… there is an earthquake.
  • If ever it is white on top… believe it or not… it is snowing.
The stone may be low tech, but its pretty accurate.

Photo Credit: MF at The Weather Gamut