Groundhog Day has come once again, this year, in the midst of a “polar vortex” that has set low-temperature records across the midwest.

Punxsutawney Phil failed to see his shadow Friday morning, thereby predicting an early spring this year. Phil’s annual prediction draws thousands of revelers to Gobbler’s Knob on the southern outskirts of the town of Punxsutawney, which lies about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Onlookers were bundled up Saturday to chant Phil’s name so he would emerge from his hole in a tree stump.

The festivities have their origin in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues. If not, spring comes early.

Here in Indiana, this winter season has not really been that bad. However, in late January we were hit with a couple of back-to-back cold fronts, each dumping us with about 10 inches. The most recent front was classified as a polar vortex which caused temperatures to drop below freezing for a few days. On a couple of days, the high never got over 0°.

We’ll get some relief this weekend, as temperatures are to climb to the upper 40s and 50s.

Oh well, less than 6 more weeks and we can put another winter season in the books. That is, if Phil is right!