Recently, in Northern Illinois we have not had much to celebrate, but it has been a great time for professionals in the weather forecasting field.    Considering the tools available to forecasters, it is hard to understand that they often cannot predict the weather 24 hours ahead of time.   Personally, I feel that we might as well rely on the groundhog to predict the weather.  This year as is the custom on February 2 at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, people watched the groundhog deliver his forecast.   Good news!  Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, predicting an early spring.   My forecast is also for an early spring which is worth as much as those forecasts by our weather professionals.  In the future let’s combine Groundhog Day and National Weatherperson’s Day since they both have a lot in common – both are right 50% of the time!