THURSDAY’S WEATHER: Chilly, rainy Groundhog Day before sunshine returns tomorrow

Keep the rain gear on deck because it’s going to be a wet Groundhog Day in North Georgia.

Showers will remain light and scattered to kick off the morning, according to the forecast. The cloud cover kept Georgia’s groundhog, Gen. Beauregard Lee, from seeing his shadow, meaning an early spring is predicted.

Credit: File photo

Credit: File photo

Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil, on the other hand, did see his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter up north.

Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil has made his annual prediction — it's six more weeks of winter weather! https://t.co/xHzRt2YdEA pic.twitter.com/cmD9M6Z8ID
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 2, 2023

Some good news is that, according to Politifact, Gen. Beauregard Lee has a higher accuracy rate than Punxsutawney Phil.

Here in Georgia, Thursday’s rain will get heavier and more widespread as the day goes on, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

“The roads are starting to get a little slick early this morning, and oftentimes, it’s that first little bit of rain before it even starts to fall very heavily that can cause the biggest problems and the slickest spots out there on the roads,” he said. “That water kind of interacts with some of the oils and things that are on the road,” bringing them to the surface and making the roads a little extra slick.

Credit: WSBTV Videos

Rain on the way Thursday ahead of Groundhog prediction

The light rain will stick around through the early afternoon, but by mid-to-late afternoon, heavier rain will set in and stay throughout the night but should clear out by Friday morning.

Sunshine will return Friday as clouds start to clear out by mid-morning, making way for a nice, sunny day that will last into Saturday. But it’ll be a chilly one, Monahan said.

High temperatures are going to stay in the 40s for much of the area on Saturday, he said. The average high for this time of year is in the mid-to-upper 50s.