Every year on February 2, the groundhog (Punxsutawney Phil) peeps out of its hole and tells the world his prediction to see if spring will come early or if there will be six more weeks of winter.
Groundhog Day is simple, if the groundhog sees its shadow then the prediction is that there will be six more weeks of winter, if it does not, then the prediction is that spring will arrive early. This is a fun and silly tradition that has been going on for many centuries in the United States and Canada.
Some people believe that this is a silly way to decide the weather and they do not believe the groundhog is accurate. From 1886 to 2024, there have been 108 predictions of more winter, and 21 predictions of early spring. Overall, the groundhog has a 35% accuracy rate throughout the years. Many people believe that the groundhog cannot actually predict the weather.
Lily B., a student in the district does not believe that the groundhog is accurate. B. said, ” No, I do not believe the groundhog can predict the weather. I never understood the concept that a rodent animal pops out of the ground and can predict the weather.”
“I think it is a silly concept.” However, B. thinks that it can be a fun way for the community to come together.
Lastly, B. said, “It lets everyone come together and enjoy seeing the groundhog predict.”
However, Faith Gonzales, a student at Eleanor Roosevelt High School believes that the groundhog can be accurate. Gonzales said, “Animals can sense things, like weather, that we can’t.”
She later said “If the groundhog is wrong it’s wrong. From my understanding, it doesn’t really change anything.”
The Groundhog Day tradition is still a fun way to all come together to see the little creature predict the weather. Let’s wait and see if its prediction is right this year!
