SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. -- For those who are sick and tired of winter weather, Jimmy the groundhog has some good news.

The Sun Prairie groundhog emerged this Groundhog Day and told Mayor Joe Chase that he definitely did not see his shadow, meaning an early spring.

"The prediction -- Jimmy is telling us, as he looks to the east -- he does not see his shadow, and he's going to stay out. Early spring is declared -- early spring!" Chase said.

The groundhog tradition in Sun Prairie dates back to 1948. They claim Jimmy has an 80 percent accuracy rate.

"He's 100 percent successful according to the local historians here. It turns out that the mayors sometimes misinterpret what he's saying," Chase said.

But National Weather Service data said the groundhogs are closer to 40 percent accurate.

But it doesn't bother groundhog lovers who turned out Tuesday. Although Jimmy might be a little cranky in the morning, for these spectators, they said it's all about the tradition.