Why is it that if the groundhog sees his shadow on Feb. 2, the forecast is for six more weeks of winter?

Where does the six come from?

From a peek at the forecast, it appears that by Groundhog Day there were only four more weeks of wintry weather. When the temperature gets above 32 and keeps going up, that’s good enough for us hearty Minnesotans to call it spring.

The KIMT forecast for Albert Lea says the high today will be 34, Thursday 35, Friday 38 and Saturday 37. The National Weather Service forecast for Albert Lea says the high today will be 35, Thursday 35, Friday 37 and Saturday 39.

And even though Sunday is several days away, the National Weather Service forecasts a high near 40.

Whoa!

Even though it sure will feel nice, area residents should be prepared this spring for some flooding. Be aware of rising waters as the mercury rises.

And congratulations on making it through another southern Minnesota winter.

And as for the groundhog, he must have wished for a more precise way of forecasting. Maybe he figured four weeks was closer to six so he returned to his burrow.