By Gene J. Puskar, AP
Happy Groundhog Day! This morning, Punxsutawney Phil weighed in with his yearly forecast from central Pennsylvania. What did he determine? Six more weeks of winter! Considering the winter we have had so far, most of us are probably not complaining. Phil has now seen his shadow 100 times and hasn’t seen it just 16 times since 1886, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle, which runs the event. There are no records for the remaining years. Experts have found that Phil’s forecast is accurate only about 39% of time. While Phil says more winter ahead, there are actually several other groundhogs weighing in on the topic. Ohio’s own Buckeye Chuck did not see his shadow meaning an early spring. Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam, Ontario’s Wiarton Willie, Georgia’s General Beauregard Lee, and Staten Island Chuck are all in agreement that spring is here to stay. I guess we will have to wait and see who is right.
Back here at home, the mild temperatures are going to stick around for the next several days. For today, skies will be clearing out allowing highs to top out in the 50′s. Much of the same is expected for Friday with fair skies.
This weekend, showers and even a few thunderstorms will be moving back into the area with our next storm system. Models are in agreement this will be an all rain event. We could pick up an inch or so of rain before all is said and done.
