Groundhog Predicts More Winter Weather
by Nora Warren

This Groundhog Day, warm weather lovers kept their fingers crossed that no little creatures would see their shadows.

Schoolkids flocked to Raleigh’s Museum of Natural Science to learn how animals survive the winter-- and to see their favorite local groundhog. William Crouch said he hoped the furry weathercaster, Sir Walter Wally, would see his shadow.

"I'm hoping for it to be spring," Crouch said.

Other kids, such as Rachel Miller, just wanted to see the rabbits, snakes, salamanders and insects that were also on exhibit.

“I'm excited to be here because there are so many animals here,” Miller said. “I didn't know they'd be here."

Wednesday was a sunny day, but did Sir Walter Wally see his shadow? He certainly did. That means we can expect six more weeks of winter.

The Groundhog Day tradition comes from the old days in Europe when people looked to badgers and beavers to predict the end of winter.

" If they could still see their shadows, that would mean their deaths,” said Katie Vogel, the museum’s education specialist. “So they went back to sleep."

In Raleigh, Sir Walter Wally looked as though he was ready for another nap.