As someone who grew up in upstate NY, I’ve never understood why everyone on the news has always been so deadpan serious about Groundhog Day and completely ignoring the “heads I win, tails you lose” nature of the groundhog’s choice.

“Six more weeks of winter” would take us to March 16.

That is the exact same thing as an early spring. Astronomical spring doesn’t start until the 20th (or 21st) (unless you are the Catholic church, in which case it is defined to always be the 21st). It doesn’t actually start to feel like spring until well into April.

If you live in Schenectady, no matter what the groundhog chooses, you can’t lose!