The day of Hromnice falls on February 2nd. The Czech word Hromnice is derived from sanctified “hromnice” candles that were lit on the night of February 2nd to protect against thunderstorms (thunder = hrom). It is also strictly forbidden to sew or use needles. The weather on Hromnice is a sign of how long winter will linger. If the day is cloudy, spring is coming. If it is sunny, it will be winter again for another 6 weeks at least. This morning it was sunny. By Friday the temperatures will rise from -4˚C till +4˚C and all the snow will melt!

Svítí-li slunce na Hromnice, bude zimy o šest neděl více.

If the sun is shining on Hromnice, there will be six more weeks of winter.

Hromnice-li jasné, čisté, potrvá déle zima jistě. Pakli sněží nebo hřímá, jaro jistě v blízku dlívá.

If Hromnice is bright and clear, winter is sure to linger. If there is snow or thunder, spring must be near.

Jihne-li na Hromnice, přilož do kamen; mrzne-li, po zimě amen.

If the snow is melting on Hromnice, add more wood to the fire; if it's freezing, the winter is over.

O Hromnicích déšť - na jaře sníh; o Hromnicích sníh - na jaře déšť.

Rain on Hromnice - snow in the spring; snow on Hromnice - rain in the spring.

Zelené Hromnice - bílé Velikonoce.

Green Hromnice - white Easter.

Vyjde-li jezevec o Hromnicích z díry, za čtyři neděle zpátky zas pílí.

If the badger comes out of his hole on Hromnice, he'll be rushing back four weeks later.

Jest-li o Hromnicích teplo, staví medvěd boudu; pakli o Hromnicích zima, bourá medvěd boudu.

If Hromnice is warm, the bear builds himself a shed. If Hromnice is cold, the bear tears down his shed.

Na Hromnice husa po vodě - na velikonoce po ledě.

If the goose swims on water on Hromnice, it will walk on ice at Easter.

Jak dlouho skřivan před Hromnicemi zpívá, tak dlouho po nich bude mlčet.

However long before Hromnice the skylark sings, that's how long it will be silent after Hromnice.

Na Hromnice zimy polovice.

Hromnice - the middle of winter.

Na Hromnice o hodinu více.

On Hromnice, the day becomes an hour longer (than on winter solstice).

Na Hromnice zima s jarem potkává se.

On Hromnice, winter and spring meet.

Na Hromnice musí skřivánek vrznout, i kdyby měl zmrznout.

On Hromnice, the skylark must sing even if it were to freeze to death.

Na Hromnice kalužky, budou jabka i hrušky.

If there are puddles of water on Hromnice, there will be apples and pears.

Na Hromnice má sedlák raději vlka ve chlévě i ženu na marách než slunce.

On Hromnice, a farmer would rather have a wolf in his barn or a wife dead than the sun in the sky.