Happy Groundhog Day!

I am pretty sure that the groundhog will see his shadow today, forecasting 6 more weeks of winter. It's been cold here for about two weeks now, and it doesn't look like it will be warming up too soon. At 10:30 am Chicago's local groundhog, Stormy will be coaxed from hiding with some carrot cake to make the end of winter prediction. Stormy is probably the only rodent in history to have orthodonture--you can read about his braces here.

With Chicago's Bears playing in the Super Bowl, Sunday, Groundhog Day will probably receive less attention than usual. Generally speaking, there's not much else to talk about or do in early February. This is a special year, and all of the Chicago area is focused on the big game. Of course, a lot of Chicagoans have gone to Miami where the Super Bowl will be played, for a little respite from the cold and snow at home.

Update: No word yet from Brookfied Zoo, but Woodstock Willie saw no shadow, heralding the end of winter.

Update: Though Brookfield Zoo said Stormy the Groundhog would do this year's prediction, it was Cloudy who made the call. Prediction: despite single digit temperatures, it will be an early spring.

Update: Via email, we have an update from Smith Lake Jake who also predicts an early Spring.

Update: I am a little skeptical about those groundhogs; it's 6 degrees Farenheit in Wilmette!