My wife grew up being told that, if the groundhog sees his shadow, we’ll have six more weeks of winter, but if not, spring will come in a month-and-a-half. Told that way it’s a good joke and points out the silliness of the whole thing. Chesire Human gives a similar version here, but Cecil’s column and other sources leave out the second half.
I’ve expressed doubts about my wife’s version being the original, much to the peril of my marriage. How common is this version and does anyone know if it’s the original or when it arose?
I learned as a child that if he sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter (which is normal). But if he doesn’t, only two more weeks of winter - an early spring. I was further taught that the reason for this was that cold clear skies were the norm in late Jan and early Feb, but if there were many overcast, rainy days, that was the harbinger of the early spring. I am of western PA old German ancestry, which is where the groundhog legend came from, and where the weather patterns do fit.
Sis more weeks of winter is an early spring for me, so I’ve pretty much ignored the whole thing forever.
Exactly, it really only makes sense in north central PA.
I have never understood why a nice sunny day means six more weeks of winter and vice-versa.
This is why they hate us.
But, back to the original question: Does anyone have any information about the origin of the version of the Groundhog Day saying given in the OP?
Even in north central PA, spring weather arriving in mid-March is fairly early. Spring weather earlier than that is almost unheard of. A deep snow in March or even early April is not out of the question.
Exactly:
An unnatural 70 degree and sunny day in Feb: a long winter.
A whiteout blizzard: an early spring!