Punxsutawney Phil climbs on the shoulder of groundhog co-handler John Griffiths after Phil predicted an early spring when didn’t see his shadow on Groundhog Day 2013. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
(CBS) – It’s March 22, the third day of spring, but you’d never guess it by going outside or checking the forecast. The temperature has been in the 20s and 30s all week, we could get more snow this weekend, and the high probably won’t go past 40 until the middle of next week.
So who do we blame?
Maybe we can follow the lead of an Ohio prosecutor, and take the groundhog to court.
Butler County prosecutor Mike Gmoser has “indicted” Punxsutawney Phil – the world’s most famous groundhog weatherman – for a “misrepresentation of early spring” with his forecast this year.
Bill Murray’s character didn’t believe Phil’s forecasting abilities in the movie “Groundhog Day” – filmed in north suburban Woodstock – and apparently neither does Gmoser. He said Phil has gotten the forecast wrong several times, and he’s tired of it.
Woodstock’s groundhog, Woodstock Willie, didn’t do any better. He also predicted an early spring this year.
Rick Bellairs, with the Groundhog Day committee in Woodstock, said “there’s probably a reason why Bill Murray in the movie had to repeat the day: so the groundhog could get the weather right.”
Tongue firmly in cheek, Bellairs said he has some tough attorneys lined up to defend Willie from being named in a similar complaint.
“Bring it on,” he said.
Bellairs noted groundhogs are hardly alone in getting the forecast wrong.
“I’m wondering if you guys at WBBM are worried about being sued anytime you get the weather wrong?” he said.
No word from McHenry County prosecutors on if they plan to follow Gmoser’s lead.
