Chattanooga Chuck predicts early spring

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – Everyone’s favorite furry forecaster called for an early spring after awakening from his winter slumber.
Whether you follow Chattanooga Chuck, Atlanta’s General Beauregard Lee or the original seer of seers, sage of sages and prognosticator of all prognosticators, Punxsutawney Phil, rejoice.
They all call for an early spring.
Groundhog Day isn’t just a beloved Bill Murray movie. It’s serious business in the furry forecaster world. But where did the tradition come from? Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania has been officially celebrating Groundhog Day since February 2, 1886… But its roots reach even farther back. Many historians believe Groundhog Day got its start in the ancient celebration of Candlemas Day. On this day, clergy would bless the candles to help provide light during the dark of winter. People also looked to the sun during this winter mid-point. They concluded that if the sun was out, animals would cast a shadow, and that meant a second winter was on the way.
When European settlers came to America, they brought along the tradition.
Here are some of the old Candlemas Day sayings from groundhog.org:

According to an old English song:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.

According to an old Scotch couplet:

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There’ll be twa (two) winters in the year.

The Germans recited:

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until the May.

So in honor of our seer of seers’ forecasting prowess: Here’s a News12 Now Amy-O-Meter saying:

Chattanooga Chuck, General Lee and Punxsutawney Phil don’t have radar or weather maps…
But they do bring good news for you and I and other winter-hating chaps.
No shadows did they see, so bring on spring for you and me!
And that’s a definite Amy-O-Meter “10”… repeat in all caps!