Larry Wiggins, Age 14, Of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., for his question:

Can the groundhog really forecast the weather?

A wet and cloudy February may be followed by early spring sunshine, and a sunny February may be followed by weeks of delayed spring rains. No one knows why the groundhog was elected to forecast these weather events or how the legend of groundhog day began. On Feb. 2 this lazy ground squirrel is supposed to carne out of his burrow and make his own weather survey.

If he sees his shadow, the sun must be shining, and he returns for six more weeks of hibernation. If he sees no shadow, skies are cloudy, and Mr. Groundhog takes a chance on staying above ground  or so the legend goes. Of course, the fat fellow is not smart enough to predict the weather. On Feb. 2 he might, just might, wake up from the deeper than deep sleep of hibernation and look around. But rain or shine, shadow or no shadow, old lazybones is sure to go back to finish his nap, which ends some time in march