The Groundhog Saw His Shadow, Canada Remains Frigid, South Staying Warm

Watching all media go gaga over animals that are supposed to "predict" the future based on seeing shadows & growing more fur, makes me recall my Dayton days when the late Gil Whitney used a "Wolly Worm" as a gimmick to forecast the future.  Of course, science showed there is no connection between the spacing of the colors, but that didn't stop Gil from becoming the most popular weathercaster in town.  Many viewers crocheted worms in various colors & sizes and he showed them on-air. 

 

So watching Hannah this morning with the Groundhog brought back those memories.

Just taking the past 5 years, IF our Audubon Zoo rodent sees his shadow, which today he did, that means we're in for more cold air.  Looking at what's up in Canada tells me that is still very likely.

Below zero temps cover most of Canada and any dip in the upper steering (Polar Vortex) would bring that air towards us.  However, for the next 10 days, that is not happening, and here's why. The current flow across the nation is west to east (zonal) and that will not allow the Arctic air to head very far to the south.

It's certainly feeling winter-ish across the northern states and there is a huge temperature contrast on either side of a frontal boundary.

Denver is near 70, St. Louis 60 with above freezing at Minneapolis!  All that will slowly change this week as the Arctic air creeps southward.  But for us?

More sunshine with very warm temperatures are expected through Super Bowl Sunday.  Our only issue will be dense sea fog each morning.  Looking at long-range (14-16 days) models and they are hinting that the East Coast upper trough will return.  That means the second half of February could be much colder than the first half.  Geez, just in time for the Mardi Gras parades.  Bummer.  Stay tuned!