Weather Eye: Can snowstorm summon spring?

I hope you are doing well, this last day of January. We expect to hear the fate of our winter from the groundhog in a couple of days. Six more weeks of winter, or an early spring?

Regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil has to say about winter, it will still last until the first of March for us weather and climate folks and waits six-and-a-half weeks until the spring equinox at 3:28 a.m. March 20 for everyone else.

As far as I can see, Groundhog Day began in America way back in the 18th or 19th century in Pennsylvania. But even earlier in Europe, especially Germany, a badger or a sacred bear was the prognosticator.

Candlemas day is when the groundhog in Germany sticks his head out of his quarters predicting a continuation of winter or milder weather.

Locally, we get amused by reports of rodent behavior at the Oregon Zoo on Feb. 2. We may be lucky this year, as the animals will most likely not see their shadows Thursday. If so, that would mean an early spring. This would be amusing, if snow falling meant spring was coming, wouldn’t it?

Yes, cold air via east winds was still looking likely later today and for the next couple of days. How much cold air arrives and where the boundary of warmer moisture overhead falls will govern how the weather behaves.

Sure sounds similar to earlier in the month, doesn’t it? It is a similar pattern, but with not as much cold air. Again, a tricky forecast at best. The good news is, if we get snow, it won’t last and last like before. Milder ocean air will overcome the wintry mess.

In fact, since the local rodents will not see their shadow Thursday, we could see our first 60-degree day very soon. Maybe stick a fork into the rest of the winter?

Maybe.

January will go out as one of the coldest on record, and February will slide in tomorrow on Old Man Winter’s breath. Keep warm.

Patrick Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at http://patricktimm.com.

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