Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog known for predicting the arrival of spring, has been ranked among the least accurate weather predictors by NOAA. His 35% accuracy rate lands him at a disappointing 17th place out of 19 critters, trailing behind even a trio of taxidermied groundhogs.
Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil might be the most well-known weather-predicting groundhog, but a new list casts doubt on his accuracy. Phil did so poorly that even nonliving critters outshine him at forecasting an early spring. Phil, guided by handlers and his shadow-based predictions, came in 17th out of 19 critters ranked by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information‘s accuracy ranking list.
So, which groundhogs excel at predicting longer winters? New York’s Staten Island Chuck topped NOAA’s list with an impressive 85% accuracy rate, followed by Georgia’s General Beauregard Lee in second at 80%, and Wyoming’s Lander Li — a bronze statue of a prairie dog — in third at 75%. Phil came in at 17th out of 19 — behind a trio of taxidermied groundhogs — with an accuracy rate of just 35%, NOAA said. “Although he is not the most accurate seasonal prognosticator, we would be remiss not to honor the longest-running weather-forecasting groundhog in the United States, Punxsutawney Phil,” NOAA wrote. “A beloved national celebrity, legend has it that he has been prophesying when spring would arrive from his burrow on Gobler’s Knob since 1887. How has he lived for so long? The answer is simple… the “groundhog nog” fed to him each fall at Punxsutawney’s annual Groundhog Picnic.”How do critters make the cut for NOAA’s weather-predicting ‘groundhogs’ list? According to NOAA, qualifying critters must meet two key criteria: They must have a track record of at least 20 years of Feb. 2 prognostications. They must still be active as of Feb. 2, 2024. “These groundhogs — along with a tortoise, whose emergence from his winter brumation (hibernation for reptiles) foretells the coming of Spring, and a Prairie dog statue, whose shadow at sunrise predicts how long it will be until Spring arrives — have been graded and ranked based on their accuracy over the past 20 years, using the March temperature averages for the U.S. each year from 2005 to 2024,” NOAA noted. Will Phil get it right in 2025? Find out on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, when Phil makes his prediction —shadow means six more weeks of winter
GROUNDHOGS PHIL PREDICTIONS WEATHER NOAA SPRING WINTER
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lacking a groundhog, N.J. town cancels Groundhog Day celebration againThis is the fourth straight year that organizers have been unable to find a groundhog that meets strict state guidelines, organizers say.
Read more »
Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day Replaced by Weather Reveal Cake?Animal rights advocates propose replacing the traditional Punxsutawney Phil Groundhog Day event with a 'Weather Reveal' Cake. The cake would indicate whether winter will linger or spring will arrive early based on its color. The proposal highlights the stress and disturbance caused to Phil by the crowds and media attention.
Read more »
PETA petitions to replace Punxsutawney Phil with 'weather reveal' vegan cake on Groundhog DayPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is calling to ax a beloved American tradition – and to replace it with what it calls a 'delicious' vegan substitution.
Read more »
Punxsutawney Phil Prepares for His Groundhog Day Weather PredictionJoin the excitement as Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow to make his annual winter weather prediction on Groundhog Day. Will we see an early spring or six more weeks of winter?
Read more »
Phil the Groundhog's Weather Predicting Skills Ranked LastA new list by NOAA reveals that Punxsutawney Phil ranks 17th out of 19 critters in predicting an early spring, even falling behind some taxidermied groundhogs. The list, based on accuracy over the past 20 years, puts Staten Island Chuck at the top with an 85% accuracy rate.
Read more »
Punxsutawney Phil Predicts the Weather: A Groundhog Day TraditionPunxsutawney Phil, a celebrity groundhog, makes his annual weather prediction on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Explore the history, traditions, and impact of this unique event, where thousands gather to witness Phil's forecast.
Read more »