Foggy Groundhog in metro; sun returns to most of MN today!
Shadow according to Punxutawney Phil in Gobbler's Knob, PA
6 more weeks of "winter?"
39% accuracy for Phil over the last 100+ years
No shadow in the metro this morning
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Big snow developing in Nebraska & Iowa next 48 hours
Mild February? NOAA's CPC thinks so
Onward through the fog!
Welcome to London, with partially frozen lakes.
The thick fog bank hung tough for a second morning in the metro and eastern Minnesota, while southwest Minnesota basks in clear skies and sunshine.
The fog may finally lift in most areas today, and temps should respond accordingly.
Fog from snow melt is one forecast "fly in the ointment" we haven't had to deal with much in Minnesota this winter.
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It goes like this:
1) Warmth melts snow
2) Snow melt adds moisture to air
3) Moisture creates fog
4) Fog blocks sun
5) Temps stay cooler
The best "defense" against winter fog is wind. Winds will pick up in Minnesota this weekend, and some of the fog should burn off as today wears on.
It's Groundhog Day!
It has to be one of the best movies ever made. Not high art maybe, but really entertaining.
The opening scenes from Groundhog Day where Bill Murray is skeptical (okay cynical) about the whole idea of Groundhog Day could have been filmed in one of many TV weather offices in the USA.
This openeing scene was actually shot at WGN-TV in Chicago. I worked on this same weather set for two years.
"You're kidding me! Do I really have to do this stupid live shot again? For a little rodent?"
Of course the reality is we embrace the idea, corny as it is. Even though the Groundhog Punxutawney Phil has an accuracy rate of just 39%, we still love him. Right?
And who among us hasn't felt like doing this when the alarm goes off in the morning?
I can tell you this for sure; "Weather Lab Willie" didn't see his shadow this morning. All signs (and the maps) say that spring is right around the corner at the weather lab.
Keeping an eye on snow to the south:
Two places that will see a wintery relapse soon are Nebraska and Iowa.
A winter storm is winding up to the south and it should dump heavy snow.
If you are heading south along I-35 into Iowa, expect heavy snow and wintery weather!
PH