Spring Weather Outlook: Punxsutawney Phil is No Liar — He's Just Misunderstood

On Saturday, Feb. 2, the well-known groundhog Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow, leading an entire nation to believe spring was around the corner. Unfortunately, Northern Virginia saw heavy snowfall the past Sunday night into Monday morning that caused school delays and closures and a bit of trouble during the morning commute.

Luckily, the snowy winter is finally moving along, and sunshine is soon to come according to meteorologist Chris Strong with the National Weather Service (NWS).

"We will really start to turn the corner in April. We'll be seeing a transition the first of April instead of in March like some areas," Strong said. "It's a situation where you go from winter straight into summer."

Strong said Northern Virginia should expect to see highs in the 60s starting as early as Monday. He also said to prepare for unpredictable and severe weather situations that the region may face in the upcoming months such as thunderstorms and tornadoes.

"The type of weather we deal with in this region includes tornadoes, so that's one of the things we'll [NWS] keep an eye on," Strong said. "Have a way to get information or alerts on weather conditions so you'll be prepared. We usually know ahead of time, but the weather can change quickly."

According to the recently released NWS spring outlook, the country will experience a mixture of drought, flooding and warm weather throughout the season.

"Weather can turn on a dime, so it's important to stay tuned to the daily weather forecast. Spring weather, such as tornadoes and flash floods, develop quickly and require preparation and vigilance," said Laura Furgione, deputy director of NWS.

As for Punxsutawney, he was recently let off the hook for his alleged treasonous acts when his handler, Bill Deeley, stepped forward to inform the media that the animal rightfully predicted six more weeks of winter back in February; Deeley just misinterpreted Punxsutawney's prediction, he said.

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