Q: Can groundhogs accurately predict the weather?A:...

Q: Can groundhogs accurately predict the weather?

A: Not really. According to “The Handy Science Answer Book,” in one study over a 60-year period, groundhogs predicted the weather accurately only 28% of the time--a percentage worse than chance. Groundhog Day--which is Sunday--was first celebrated in Germany, where farmers would watch for a badger to emerge from winter hibernation. If the day was sunny, the badger would be frightened by his shadow and duck back for another six weeks nap--supposedly signaling a long winter and late spring. If it was cloudy, he would stay out, knowing that spring would arrive sooner. German farmers who immigrated to Pennsylvania found no badgers and used groundhogs instead.