COLUMBUS – If groundhogs in Marion and Pennsylvania are correct, then one of the most forgettable winters in memory will pass meekly into the record books.
Marion’s Buckeye Chuck and Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil both emerged from their burrows early Sunday morning and predicted an early spring.
At sunrise, members of Phil’s top hat-wearing inner circle revealed the furry forecaster’s prediction.
The annual event has its origin in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues. If not, spring comes early.
In reality, Phil’s prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill just outside the town about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
While central Ohio has suffered through some brief periods of very cold weather, the season has seen some of the lowest snowfall totals on record.