Groundhog Day

Gordy saw his shadow, though, so brace for 6 more weeks

Record-high temperatures in the state, but the zoo’s Gordy saw his shadow.

The myth that spring comes early if the nation’s groundhog doesn’t see its shadow on Groundhog Day appeared to be truth in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee and other areas around the state had springlike temperatures Sunday, breaking many high-temperature records after Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil — the only groundhog whose opinion matters, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club — didn’t see his shadow.

Before noon on Groundhog Day, Milwaukee had reached 50 degrees and broke its record for highest temperature on Feb. 2, which was previously 49 degrees in 1992. Around 1:30 p.m. it was 53 degrees and likely would get warmer.

Madison, Green Bay and Oshkosh all broke their high-temperature records as well.

“Temperatures are still rising a bit,” said Andy Boxell, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sullivan. “It’s certainly plausible more record-breaking might happen.”

At the National Weather Service office, an inch of snow had melted between Sunday morning and afternoon.

Areas closer to the lake and more populated areas were expected to see even more snowmelt on Sunday.

The warm weather came thanks to an upper-level ridge, which is a sinking air motion in the atmosphere.

“This just happened to be warm enough to break some records,” Boxell said.

On Monday, temperatures were expected to return closer to normal but still be above average, in the mid-30s.

Gordy, the Milwaukee County Zoo’s new groundhog, did see his shadow on Sunday. According to legend, this would mean there are six more weeks of winter — which seems to fit with the weather forecast for the rest of the week.

Temperatures were predicted to continue to drop, with temperatures in the upper 20s on Tuesday and Wednesday.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL SEARS / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL Milwaukee County Zoo’s resident groundhog, Gordy, enjoys the mid-40 degree weather and a snack in front of a crowd of onlookers Sunday morning. With no clouds in the sky, Gordy saw his shadow at every turn before heading back into his den. Legend has it that this means six more weeks of winter.

Milwaukee County Zoo Director Chuck Wikenhauser announces the arrival of Gordy, center, as the zoo’s resident groundhog peeks his head out of his den.