Groundhog Day is the day that, according to legend, a groundhog will predict how much longer winter will last in the northern hemisphere.

Groundhog Day is February 2nd, and is celebrated in Canada and the US. According to legend, the groundhog emerges from its burrow at noon on that day to look for its shadow. If it is a sunny day and the groundhog sees its shadow, according to folklore it becomes frightened and returns to its hole to sleep, and winter continues for 6 more weeks. If it does not see its shadow, it remains outside because the worst of winter is over and warmer weather is on its way.

Read more on The Canadian Encyclopedia.

Watch these two short videos for ‘Groundhog Day explained‘:

©2015 Jason Meyers, StormShield

©2012 C.P.G. Grey

Read about Nova Scotia’s famous Groundhog Shubenacadie Sam and watch him live on novascotiawebcams.com.