We shouldn't spend much time or energy bellyaching about this winter's weather in the Triangle, but as southerners (and adopted southerners), it's practically in our cultural DNA to treat every spotted snowflake as a self-contained "Snowmageddon" or "Winterocalypse." Well, to our rescue is the little (or not so little) furry friend from a long, venerable line of innate meteorologists - the humble groundhog. Punxutawney Phil did not see his shadow, and so we can obviously, with the soundness of scientific minds, rely on an early spring. Break out the rosé, Vinho Verde, and Txakoli! Dust off the lawn chairs and stock up on sunscreen!! Spring has arrived!!!

    Don't pay too much attention to the extended forecast, though, as a few nights next week are apparently expected to drop below freezing - probably human error, but you might want to keep some Port around. Just in case...