Thursday, February 2, 2017

How many more weeks of winter weather could a woodchuck predict, if a woodchuck could predict weeks of winter weather?

Happy Marmota monax Day!

 

You might know it better as Groundhog Day.  On Groundhog Day, communities across North America drag a sleepy Groundhog (Marmota monax) out of hibernation to see if it casts a shadow.  If the groundhog sees its shadow, this means that six more weeks of winter will follow; if it does not see its shadow, spring will supposedly come early.

I wonder, does it have to be a groundhog or could any hibernating ground squirrel be used to predict spring?  Anyone interested in celebrating Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel Day?


No matter what happens to the Groundhog, I predict that Spring will begin in 6 1/2 weeks, on March 20th, just like it says on the calendar.

2 comments:

  1. I've never known northern Michigan to have a spring earlier than that!
    Last year, we had over 20 inches of snow in Early April.......and I have no doubt it will do it again this year.
    But I did laugh at your suggestion of 13 lined Ground Squirrel day. That's sure a mouthful!
    :D

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    1. Just think of the other regional holiday possibilities... Yellow-bellied Marmot Day! Hoary Marmot Day! Columbian Ground Squirrel Day! Gunnison's Prairie Dog Day!

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