Tuesday’s the big day for the spotlight-hogging groundhog in Pennsylvania and his kin located around the country.  What’s the pampered rodent going to see?

Not sure about the forecast for Punxsutawney Phil, but in Georgia, it’s pretty likely General Lee won’t see much of anything.  A weak weather system will keep clouds in here through at least the early part of the day and could bring rain to some.  Ergo, no shadow this year.

But for those who think winter’s over, I would say: check the maps.  Things are looking pretty chilly for at least the first two weeks of February.  A strong subtropical jet – the river of air at lower latitudes within the U.S. – will continue for awhile, and yet the arctic connection is not gone by any means.  Combine the two and you get the potential for winter threats affecting much of the eastern U.S. and also the West Coast.  Any one of these could bring about an outbreak of bitter cold in its wake if things time out just right.

We have two systems affecting our area in the next week, one tonight and early Tuesday and a stronger one that will bring us heavier rain Thursday and Friday.  Even on the nice days in between there won’t be much in the way of warming with highs remaining in the 50s at best.

Six more weeks of winter?  Time will tell, but I’d bet on at least three.

Kurt Schmitz, Chief Meteorologist – WTVM-TV

kschmitz@wtvm.com

Filed under: Columbus, Regions