Spring will come early this year in Pennsylvania (USA) -- or so it is believed, since groundhog Phil from Punxsutawney failed to see his shadow when he was yanked from his winter slumber. The furry forecaster, whose shadow is believed to herald another six weeks of winter, woke up before 8 this morning for his annual weather prediction. If the groundhog had seen his shadow, legend has it, winter would last another six weeks. Since he didn't see his shadow, spring will be early this year. (Feb 2nd)

Wind gusts as powerful as 125 mph howled through the Colorado foothills, knocking out power, downing trees and sending debris flying every which way. Two airplanes parked at the Jefferson County Airport south of Boulder were overturned and buildings under construction at the facility sufferedsome \$100,000 in damages. Two schools were closed for the day. (Feb 3rd)

The New Zealand radiation laboratory informed the country that this summer has seen the highest ultra violet readings on record. Index levels have been up to 14 over the whole North Island while levels of 13 have occurred well down into Southland. 10 is regarded as dangerous. Levels this year were/are 5\% greater than last year. It is interesting that high priority has been given in NZ to research on the effects of UV on grass and clover growth in particular. In particular wintersweet and magnolias suffered severely from leafburn (following summer pruning) this year with almost complete defoliation following sudden exposure.