Learn about Staten Island Chuck, the groundhog with an impressive track record for predicting the arrival of spring. Compare his accuracy to other famous groundhogs and explore the history of Groundhog Day.
This weekend, New Yorkers will look to an unlikely source for their long-range weather forecast : a groundhog. Groundhog Day , held every February 2nd, has been a staple of American folklore since 1886, when Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, hosted the first recorded ceremony. According to tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow, winter will last for six more weeks; if no shadow appears, spring will arrive early.
Over the decades, dozens of groundhogs – and even a few alternative weather-predicting animals – have joined the annual forecasting festivities. About 79% of the time, Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, indicating more winter. If you'd prefer your winter forecast to come from a more northern woodchuck, you can look to Charles G. Hogg also known as 'Staten Island Chuck.' Over the past decade, Chuck has only seen his shadow once. While many groundhogs make predictions, few can match Staten Island Chuck’s track record. Chuck resides at the Staten Island Zoo, where he has been forecasting the weather since 1981. Over the past two decades, Chuck has achieved an 85% accuracy rate, placing him ahead of all other U.S. groundhogs.Chuck’s predictions are based on whether he sees his shadow at the zoo’s annual Groundhog Day ceremony. In 2024, he forecasted an early spring, aligning with Phil for the first time in years. This marked the ninth consecutive year Chuck failed to see his shadow – a streak that has made many New Yorkers hopeful for milder winters. Across the nation, various groundhogs vie for meteorological supremacy. Here’s how Chuck measures up to some of his competitors
GROUNDHOG DAY WEATHER FORECAST STATEN ISLAND CHUCK PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL ANIMAL PREDICTIONS
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