February ....

Feb. 2nd is an important day here in PA. It is GROUND HOG DAY! Punxsutawny Phil, that infamous ground hog who has now gone internationally famous. People are camping out just to be there when 'Phil' comes out of his den and fortels the weather for the next few months. ... This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In olden times, many people used to say that the Christmas season lasted for forty days - until the second day of February which was called Candlemas's. They also thought it was the day that decided what sort of weather there would be for the rest of the winter. Hence - Ground Hog Day in the US.

People believe that Ground Hog Day predicted the weather for the rest of the winter. The weather proverbs express the idea that a fine bright sunny Ground Hog day means that there is more winter to come, whereas a cloudy wet stormy Ground Hog day means that the worst of winter is over.

Weather Proverbs ...
If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,
Winter won't come again.

If Candlemas Day be dry and fair,
The half o the winter's to come and mair;
If Candlemas Day be wet and foul,
The half o the winter's gane at Yule.

Farmer's Proverbs ...
'A farmer should, on Candlemas Day,
Have half his corn and half his hay.'

'On Candlemas Day if the thorns hang adrop,
You can be sure of a good pea crop.'

German Proverb ...
" The badger peeps out of his hole on Candlemas Day, and, if he finds snow, walks abroad; but if he sees the sun shining he draws back into his hole."

It is said that if the weather is fine and frosty at the close of January and the beginning of February, there is more winter ahead than behind.

When the cat lies in the sun in February
She will creep behind the stove in March.

Of all the months of the year
Curse a fair February.

If it thunders in February, it will frost in April.

If February give much snow,
A fine summer it doth foreshow.

http://www.groundhog.org/

Here is the link to the Official Ground Hog website in PA.

I'll be up early watching the goings on at Gobbler's Knob! Its going to be a cold day -- I'm glad I'll be watching it all unfold on my TV set while lying in my nice warm bed!

Happy Ground Hog Day!