Here's What Cedar, The Suburbs' Newest Groundhog, Has To Say About An Early Spring

WEST DUNDEE, IL — Move over, Woodstock Willie. Cedar the groundhog has just entered the early spring prediction business and he (or she) says the Chicago area could soon bid farewell to this dreadful winter weather.

The Randall Oaks Zoo in West Dundee hosted its first-ever prognostication with Cedar the groundhog on Monday morning. Cedar emerged and did not see his shadow, meaning an early spring, according to Randall Oaks officials.

In nearby Woodstock, Woodstock Willie, who has been around for more than 30 years making his annual forecast, also predicted an early spring Monday morning after not seeing a shadow.

The local predictions did not match up with Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow early on Monday, predicting six more weeks of winter. Phil's prognostication took place at Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania, which is about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.