Grin and weather it

Two climate related stories today.  Firstly, Groundhog Day has come around again.  Not just a film, this is an actual event.  What I hadn't realised is that there are multiple groundhogs doing this all over the country.  Punxsutawney Phil, who I believe is the one featured in the movie, did not see his shadow today, which means (somewhat conversely) that spring will come early.

Staten Island Chuck, Shubenacadie Sam, Gen. Beauregard Lee of Georgia, Wiarton Willie of Ontario, and Jimmy the Groundhog (come on, Wisconsin, you can do better than that) all agreed.  Birmingham Bill of Alabama was apparently a lone voice of pessimism, saw his shadow, and proclaimed six more weeks of winter.

All this was cold comfort (ho ho!) to most Americans, who are experiencing the worst snow storm ever.  "Winter Storm Cripples Two-Thirds of U.S." trumpeted the LA Times.  So only Texas and California escaped, it sounds like.  The article is claiming it's being called "The Blizzard of Oz" in Kansas.  Being English, my heart goes out to everyone experiencing the weather.  But now it's time for me to put on some suncream and flip-flops and head out for a stroll.

Birmingham Bill loves children, but probably couldn't eat a whole one.

Things are looking bad in NYC.