Ground Hogs Day- Southern Style

Yesterday was all about Family and Football around here and with the exception on answering a phone call or two; I didn’t watch or read any media until the puppy bowl started. 

In the back of my mind I was wondering if Punxsutawney Phil had saw his shadow foretelling of another 6 weeks of winter. If you are like us and I’m betting you are- we are done with winter and need a sign, any sign that spring is on its way.

So once I got the kids on the bus to school- 2 hours late mind you because of the forecasted sleet and snow we didn’t get, I decided to go on my fact finding mission. 

Sure enough, according to the Washington post, that silly northerner Phil had in fact saw his shadow yesterday. But, he was wrong last year remember? He said we would get spring early last year. Instead of leaving as soon as I read spring was another 6 weeks a way according to Phil, I decided to keep reading the whole article and there it was at the bottom- a beacon of hope for this southern lady. 

Seems there is a southern groundhog based out of Atlanta; General Beau Lee is his name and he has been predicting the comings and goings of spring for the Southeast for 33 years.

Source

How in the world did I not know about Beau? 

A quick click of my mouse and Hey! Beau says spring will come early for our region! And Birmingham Bill, (based out of Birmingham Alabama naturally) agrees with Beau. 

 I like these southern groundhogs.

This made me realize maybe you don’t know about your own regional groundhog either and you’d like too. After all, we don’t plant our gardens full of plants out of our growing and hardiness zones, so why should we listen to a groundhog out of our region?

Here is the link to other groundhog prognosticators.

Since there are parts of North America currently not covered by a groundhog, the folks at AccuWeather were kind enough to make us a spring weather map.

Source

I know this whole predicting of weather is a hard thing to do,  so I'll take any signs of hope at this point. It's been such a cold, long winter, we are all ready for spring aren't we?

 I’m looking for signs of spring everywhere. And it may be just wishful thinking, but I swear I see the hint of change on the branches of our trees and a few sprigs of green wild onions coming up in the lawn.

 A special thanks Beau for giving me and all of Southerners much needed hope!  Please share in comments- do you see any signs of spring in your region? Where are you on the above map?