Does groundhog day have any astronomical meaning?

Yes, Groundhog Day does have an astronomical significance.

The seasons start on the solstices (around June 21 and December 21) and the equinoxes (around March 21 and September 21).

There are some famous holidays near these dates -- Christmas falls near the December solstice, and many cultures celebrate Midsummer's Day around June 21.

There is also a cultural history of holidays on the days roughly halfway between the abovementioned days. These are known as cross-quarter days. All but one are well known in American culture:

February 2 Groundhog Day (which may be rooted in older holidays, such as Candlemas)

May 1 May Day

August 1 Lammas

October 31/Nov 1/Nov 2 Halloween, All Saints Day, All Souls' Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-quarter_day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_days

So Groundhog Day isn't just a pointless weather forecast; it also roughly marks the midway point of winter.

(Note: In the US, we mark the start of the seasons on the equinoxes and solstices; but some other cultures center their seasons about these days. In that case, the cross-quarter days would mark the transition days between seasons.)

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Here's a brief article that makes the same point as I do about the astronomical significance of Groundhog Day and the other cross-quarter days:

http://www.whyy.org/tv12/franklinfacts/oct3100ff.h...

Here's an article about the spiritual history of Groundhog Day and older holidays at this time:

http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/candlemas.html

I'm baffled by all these thumbs down. These holidays represent a mixture of astronomical events and human cultural history. Are you denying the reality of this history? Are you unable to admit that there might be more to Groundhog Day than Punxsatawney Phil?

Significance Of Groundhog Day

No, there is no astronomical meaning or even any bit of science in this. It's just a superstition.

By the way, groundhogs are lousy forecasters. A Canadian study for 13 cities in the past 30 to 40 years puts the success rate level at 37%. Also, the National Climatic Data Center reportedly has stated that the overall prediction accuracy rate is around 39%.

There are ALWAYS "6 more weeks of winter" after groundhog day. Always have been, always will be. That is the way we define winter.

The "official" first day of spring is the spring equinox, typically March 21st. Winter doesn't "officially end" until the day before.

Of course, March 21st occurs about 6 weeks after February 2nd anyway.

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The real question is, whether or not winter-like weather continues for those 6 weeks or not. That is the quesiton that we "ask" the groundhog.

In my opinion, the entire argument of shadows is counter-intuitive anyway. Shadows seem to vanish on cloudy days due to the clouds diffusing the sun's light making the entire sky be the light source instead of primarily just the direct sunlight.

Plus, clouds on February 2nd implying spring-like weather for the rest of February and early March...why does that make sense?

Or, clear sky on February 2nd implying winter-like weather for the rest of February and early March...why does that make sense?

Growing up in a place where snow never ended before March and often continued into May, I always thought the concept of winter possibly ending on Feb. 2 to be bizarre. Of COURSE there will be at least 6 more weeks of winter.

There is nothing scientific related to it.

However, has anyone ever checked the groundhog's accuracy about early spring (I take to possibly also mean a mild late-winter?) against the predictions made by meteorologists? As often as the local weather is wrong, I wonder how much better they are than a groundhog?

It's my son's dad's birthday. I used to cry for the reason that my son would take into account his birthday for the reason that it is on Groundhog Day. My little boy could name his dad to mention completely satisfied birthday and his dad could brush him off or now not reply the cellphone. Very unhappy to give an explanation for to a 6 yr ancient why his dad did not have time to speak to him. :( Great poem BTW.

This tradition is strictly for entertainment. It is not based on any science. What happens when the sun is shining in New York and that ground hog sees his shadow, but it is cloudy in Pennsylvania and that ground hog doesn't see his shadow?

No. This is an interesting and delightful piece of American culture, but it has no scientific backing.

It is all superstition, I'm afraid.

About as much as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny do.

EDIT: Let me make it simple for you to understand! NOTHING!!!