Groundhog predicts early spring

The nation’s most famous rodent did not see his shadow today — which means he predicts spring will come early. 

Every year on Feb. 2, a group surrounds Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Penn., and waits to see if the magical groundhog Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow. 

It’s a fifty-fifty chance Phil’s right, but the groundhog’s lack of a collegiate education in meteorology is showing, according to a news release from the National Centers for Environmental Information today. 

The government agency said on average, Phil’s weather predictions have been right only 30% of the time in the last decade. 

In Maricopa, the last couple of weeks saw springtime weather with highs reaching the low 80s. But a cold front is bringing more wintry temps next week with highs in the upper 50s Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. 

The groundhog might have at least accurately predicted some spring showers. Phoenix-based meteorologist Alex Young said the frontal system will bring “a wet week next week,” adding, “It’s a good bet we are going to have north of over an inch of rain next week.” 

Maybe it’s time to leave Phil in the dust — or dirt — and find a rodent with more accurate meteorological abilities. Perhaps a javelina (yes, that’s a rodent) could better predict the weather here in Maricopa?