No Groundhog Needed

In case you missed it, Pennsylvania’s famous groundhog prognosticator, Punxsutawney Phil, DID see his shadow this past Sunday, which, according to legend, means we are in for another six weeks of winter. That probably comes as no surprise to many of us in the Carolinas, where memories of last week’s snow and ice event still linger. But before you rush out to replace your worn out winter boots for blustery weather ahead, the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) in Asheville, NC reminds us that Phil’s forecasts are, on average, inaccurate.  "The groundhog has shown no talent for predicting the arrival of spring, especially in recent years," according to the center. In fact, the National Weather Service predicts a fairly good chance of above-average temperatures in the Southeast during the months of February and March as we move towards the first day of spring on March 20th. And, as of the beginning of February, most of the Carolinas are not experiencing drought conditions. But we don’t need a furry little rodent from Pennsylvania to tell us that. It is you and your daily observations and regular condition reports that keep local, state, and national officials informed about on-the-ground precipitation rates in our area. Whether the next few weeks are more like winter or not, your observations help paint a picture of the weather and its impacts in the Carolinas on our way to spring!