Note: This story will be updated as more predictions become available.

Will we have six more weeks of winter? Will we see an early spring? For us in Kentucky, it sure looks like we will see the latter of the two according to the days leading up to Groundhog day. While many wonder what Punxsutawney Phil will say on Sunday morning, there are SEVERAL other groundhogs and groundhog impersonators to get your forecast from this Groundhog Day. Which one should you trust, though? Here is some information about each Groundhog and “Groundhog” to help you determine which one you should pick as your favorite “non-weather-forecaster forecaster” including where they come from, their accuracy between 2015 and 2024 as it relates to Kentucky’s weather, last year’s prediction and this year’s prediction when it comes available.

For reference, here’s how the last 10 years have shaken out in Kentucky:

2015 – 6 more weeks of winter

2016 – Early spring

2017 – Early spring

2018 – 6 more weeks of winter

2019 – 6 more weeks of winter

2020 – Early spring

2021 – Early spring

2022 – Early spring

2023 – Early spring

2024 – Early spring

 

Punxsutawney Phil

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

By far, Punxsutawney Phil is the most well-known of all the weather predictors. He has been known for years as the “Seer of Seers” and “Weather Prophet Extraordinary” with Phil making predictions for over 100 years with records dating back to 1887.  He has only predicted an early spring 21 times; most recently last year when he was correct.  He has seen his shadow a total of 107 times making up for 80% of his predictions for 6 more weeks of winter.

 

Allen McButterpants

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Hampton Bays, New York

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/2 (100%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

Since being found in late 2020, Allen McButterpants has been the mascot of the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center. Allen has some mobility issues that he has been getting rehab for since being rescued, though with these issues, he is unable to be released back into the wild.

 

Athene the Burrowing Owl

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A person in a Owl suit

Location: Cape Coral, Florida

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/6 (33%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

Athene is well known on social media and is the official mascot of Ground Owl Day in Cape Coral, Florida. Athene has been predicting since 2019.

 

Balzac Billy

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A person in a Gopher suit

Location: Balzac, Alberta

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/10 (30%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

Known as the “Prairie Prognosticator,” Balzac Billy is a person in a Gopher suit in Balzac, Alberta, around 5 miles north of Calgary. The mascot was made by a Calgary radio station in the late 1970s.

 

Beardsley Bart

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A Prairie Dog

Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 8/9 (89%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

Every year on Groundhog Day, Beardsley Bart shares his weather forecast with a small gathering of people including the Bridgeport, Connecticut mayor, who reads the proclamation soon after. The Beardsley Zoo states, “No need for Phil from distant lands, Connecticut’s own seer understands.”

 

Bee Cave Bob

 Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? An Armadillo

Location: Bee Cave, Texas

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/10 (60%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

People in Bee Cave know Feb. 2 as Armadillo Day. At a chosen time, Bob is placed in a random area of the ranch where he resides. If Bob moves and hangs out in a sunny area, that means early spring will be upon us. If he goes into the shade, that results in a prediction of 6 more weeks of winter. Bob is one of two animals that predict in Texas along with Big Al in Beaumont.

 

Benny the Bass

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A Largemouth Bass

Location: Buckeye Lake, Ohio

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/9 (67%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Being the only fully aquatic animal of the predictors, Benny has an interesting way of going about indicating when winter will end. Benny’s prediction is based on the timing it takes him to eat a minnow — if he eats it within 3 minutes of it being released in his tank, its an early spring. If he waits past 3 minutes, his prediction is 6 more weeks of winter. Benny’s prediction is part of the Buckeye Lake Winterfest.

 

Big Al

 Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? An Alligator

Location: Beaumont, Texas

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/8 (38%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

A drive for residents of Beaumont to visit Punxsutawney Phil would take nearly 21 hours, so why make the trek when you’ve got your own weather forecasting groundhog in town? Well, maybe not a groundhog, but an alligator, rather. Big Al is over 90 years old, which makes him older than all predictors but Punxsutawney Phil and Octoraro Orphie.

 

Birmingham Jill

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A Opossum

Location: Birmingham, Alabama

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 1/3 (33%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

Jill is a resident of the Birmingham Zoo. She began predicting in 2021 with a couple years of hiatus in 2022 and 2023.

 

Boise Bill

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A Plush Prairie Dog

Location: Boise, Idaho

Their 2024 Prediction: No prediction

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 1/4 (25%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Bill is well known for predicting the weather in Boise, Idaho, though he hasn’t made a prediction since 2018. In 2023, Bill sent an email to Zoo Boise that read,  “I’m currently out of town researching Aldabra giant tortoises on the Aldabra island and will eb out of office [burrow] until further notice.” and, “Unfortunately, this means I will be unavailable to forecast the end of winter in Idaho this year. Maybe my colleague Phil in Pennsylvania has the scoop again.”

 

Bowman Bill

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A Groundhog Puppet

Location: Stephens City, Virginia

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/9 (56%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Around 11am to noon local time every year on Groundhog day, Bowman Bill announces his prediction for the end of winter. Following his prediction, Bowman Bill’s groundhog song plays and ice cream is given to attendees with chocolate to represent a shadow. In recent years, the festivities have ended with a meet and greet with a live groundhog. 

 

Buckeye Chuck

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Marion, Ohio

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Commonly compared to Punxsutawney Phil, Chuck is entering his 46th year as a weather predictor in Marion, Ohio. The day is named after Buckeye Chuck in Marion and the festivities are held at the Marion County Fairgrounds. In 1979, the Ohio General Assembly declared Buckeye Chuck the official State Groundhog.

 

Buffalo Bert

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Buffalo, New York

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/10 (30%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Since predicting in 2013, Bert has yet to call for an early spring. Bert was rescued as an orphan and lives at Hawk Creek Wildlife Refuge in West Falls, New York. For New York, his prediction of 6 more weeks of winter is closer to 100% correct, but here in Kentucky, not so much.

 

Cedar the Groundhog

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: West Dundee, Illinois

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/2 (100%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Cedar, also known as squish, is 2 for 2 on his predictions so far since starting in 2023. Cedar presents his prediction around 1PM local time at Randall Oaks Zoo on Groundhog Day.

 

Charles Winchester

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Woodburn, Indiana

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/7 (29%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Chuck, most commonly known by Charles Winchester has been predicting since 2015 (though with a few off years). He is the resident animal ambassador an animal conservatory, Indiana Wild. Chuck usually travels around the state doing different types of predictions.

 

Chesapeake Chuck

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Newport News, Virginia

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/9 (67%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Chuck is the Virginia Living Museum resident groundhog. In recent years, Chuck has also predicted the winner of the NFL Super Bowl. Chuck sticks to a diet of carrots and sweet potatoes.

 

Chilly Charlie

Are they a groundhog? Not entirely.

What are they? A person in a Groundhog Mascot suit.

Location: Woodstock, Ontario

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/10 (30%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Chilly Charlie is the mascot for the annual Groundhog Day celebration and pancake breakfast in Woodstock Ontario. Charlie has been predicting since 2010.

 

Chuck Wood

Are they a groundhog? Close, but no.

What are they? An Animatronic Groundhog

Location: Quincy, California

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/6 (33%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

 

Chuckles the Groundhog

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Manchester, Connecticut

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/9 (67%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Chuckles is the official groundhog of Connecticut and serves as the mascot of the Lutz Children’s Museum. Chuckles has predicted since 2008, but is one of few groundhogs in his role in Manchester.

 

Cluxatawney Henrietta

 Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? An Ameraucana chicken

Location: Katonah, New York

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/6 (83%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

How would a chicken know when winter is going to end? Well, Henrietta knows when the “fowl” cold weather will come to a close. Henrietta’s prediction is based solely on if she lays an egg on the morning of Feb. 2nd.

 

Concord Casimir

Are they a groundhog? No. 

What are they? A Cat

Location: Concord, Ohio

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/7 (43%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

The weather predictor in Concord, Ohio is a… cat? Casimir is also known as the Polish Prince of Felines and was found abandoned on the footsteps of the St. Casimir Polish Church in the early 2010s. Casimir’s prediction method is a but unconventional and up to the Master of Ceremonies to determine if Casimir eats his pierogis normal, which indicates winter, or messy, which means early spring.

 

Concord Charlie

Are they a groundhog? Yes! However, Charlie has not ever been seen but by the President of Concord University

Location: Athens, West Virginia

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/10 (60%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

The way Charlie predicts is rooted in tradition that goes back to the 1970s — A tradition that involves only one person meeting with Charlie: The President of Concord University. The president of the University meets with a small group at an annual Groundhog Day Breakfast after meeting with Charlie and shares the predictions.

 

Dover Doug

Are they a groundhog? Not entirely.

What are they? A person in a Groundhog suit

Location: Dover Township, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Dover has two major differences from other groundhogs. For one, Dover is a person in a Groundhog mascot suit. Secondly, Dover does not use his shadow, rather he uses interpretive dance to interpret his predictions.

 

Dunkirk Dave

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Dunkirk, New York

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 4/10 (40%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Dave has been predicting for the second longest time out of the predictors only sitting behind Punxsutawney Phil. 

 

Elliott the Groundhog

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Millersville, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 1/1 (100%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Elliot started predicting last year with a way of his own, though it keeps it simple. Elliot is presented two dishes, one that says “winter”, the other saying “spring”. Whichever he eats from first is his prediction for the year.

 

Fenwick Flossie

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A person in a Groundhog suit

Location: Pelham, Ontario

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/8 (63%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

 

Flatiron Freddy

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A Taxidermied Groundhog

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 7/10 (70%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Often shown wearing a top hat, Freddy is a taxidermied marmot. Flatiron has been predicting since 2010.

 

Fred la Marmotte

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Val-d’Espoir, Quebec

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/9 (67%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

The position of Fred la marmotte has recently been changed with a different Groundhog when the previous Fred resigned in 2023.

 

French Creek Freddie

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Upshur County, West Virginia

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/10 (60%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

French Creek Freddie resides and predicts from his home at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center.

 

General Beauregard Lee

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Jackson, Georgia

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 8/10 (80%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

General Beauregard Lee is Georgia’s Official Weather Prognosticator and is also known as the principal prognosticator for the South.

 

Gertie the Groundhog

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Hanna City, Illinois

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 4/10 (40%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Gertie resides in the Wildlife Prairie State Park. Gertie has been predicting since 1993.

 

Gordy the Groundhog

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Their 2024 Prediction: No prediction

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/5 (40%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Gordy was born in Indiana but has moved since 2019 to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and lives at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

 

Grover and Sue

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? Both of them are Taxidermied Groundhogs

Location: Pine Grove, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 8/10 (80%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Grover Pinebush married Sweet Arrow Sue in 2011, making them the first and one of two married groundhog couples in Pennsylvania.

 

Harleysville Hank

Are they a groundhog? Close, but no.

What are they? A plush groundhog

Location: Harleysville, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

According to his Facebook, Hank celebrated his tenth birthday this year.

 

Heaven’s Wildlife Harvey

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Oil Springs, Ontario

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/3 (67%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Harvey is the official forecaster for the Heaven’s Wildlife Rescue Centre. Harvey took over for Oil Springs Ollie following his retirement in 2014.

 

Holtsville Hal

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Holtsville, New York

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/10 (60%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Hal has an introductory jingle that goes: “Will he see it or will he not? Trust Holtzville Hal, he’s who we’ve got.”

 

Hope the Groundhog

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Hope, Indiana

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/4 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Hope took over for retired Grubby the Groundhog in 2021.

 

Jimmy the Groundhog

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

Sun Prairie, where Jimmy lives, is proclaimed as the “World Headquarters of the Groundhog.” Jimmy has been predicting since 1969. Much like Staten Island Chuck, Jimmy bit the Mayor of the city in 2015.

 

Lady Edwina of Essex

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: West Orange, New Jersey

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/3 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

Lady Edwina forecasts every Groundhog day from the Turtle Back Zoo. Edwina makes 2 predictions every year, one for the time left in winter and the other with the winner of the NFL Super Bowl.

 

Lander Lil

Are they a groundhog? No!

What are they? A bronze statue of a prairie dog

Location: Lander, Wyoming

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

Lander Lil has been predicting the end of winter for Wyoming since 1984. Lander Lil used to be a real prairie dog making 27 predictions since 1985.

 

Lawrenceville Lucy

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Lucy lives near the Cowanesque Lake. She has been predicting since 2013.

 

Lucy the Lobster

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? An Atlantic Lobster

Location: Barrington, Nova Scotia

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 0/6 (0%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Lucy is the star of a book named after her by Pam Wamback. The city of Barrington says Lucy is the only predicting crustacean in Canada.

 

Malverne Mel

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Malverne, New York

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/10 (60%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

 

Manitoba Merv

Are they a groundhog? No. We could say it is close, but no.

What are they? A Groundhog golf club cover

Location: Stonewall, Manitoba

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 4/10 (40%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Merv is technically a golf club cover, but has been used as a puppet for years. Merv began predicting in 1996.

 

Middlemiss Mike

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A plush Prairie Dog

Location: Melbourne, Ontario

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/8 (63%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

Middlemiss Mike’s tradition has been passed down from Jack Galbraith, whom started it in 2007, to his wife. Jack started it due to believing the forecast in Punxatawney wasn’t accurate in Ontario.

 

Mojave Max

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A Desert Tortoise

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/10 (30%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Feb. 2nd starts “Mojave Max Watch”, a contest for Las Vegas area students to guess Max’s emergence date. His prediction is based on when he comes out of hiding.

 

Mount Gretna Grady

Are they a groundhog? Close, but no.

What are they? A plush groundhog

Location: Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/6 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Grady helps raise money for Mount Gretna Volunteer Fire company every year all year round.

 

Mount Joy Minnie

Are they a groundhog? Close, but no.

What are they? A plush groundhog

Location: Mount Joy, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 7/10 (70%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Minnie hosts a hot chocolate and doughnut breakfast where others read out her official proclamation of when winter will end every year.

 

Ms. G

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Lincoln, Massachusetts

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 7/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Ms. G is on a roll! After going 0/3 from 2015-2017, Ms. G has correctly predicted Kentucky weather 7 straight times. Ms, G has been the official state groundhog of Massachusetts since 2014.

 

MT Parker

Are they a groundhog? Close, but no.

What are they? A plush groundhog

Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/4 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

 

Octoraro Orphie

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A Taxidermied Groundhog

Location: Quarryville, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/9 (56%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Orphie dresses well, usually wearing a top hat and bow tie. Records of Orphies predictions go back all the way to 1926.

 

Oil Springs Ollie

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Oil Springs, Ontario

Their 2024 Prediction: No prediction

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/7 (86%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Before retiring in 2021, Ollie was an educator and advocates for animals. Ollie is succeeded by Heaven’s Wildlife Harvey following his retirement in 2014.

 

Okanagan Okie

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? Cartoon of/A person in a Yellow-Bellied Marmot suit

Location: Vernon, British Columbia

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/3 (100%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Okie has predicted since 2022 and is part of the Allan Brooks Nature Centre.

 

Patty Pagoda

Are they a groundhog? Not entirely.

What are they? A person in a Groundhog Mascot suit.

Location: Reading, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/10 (30%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Patty lives in her burrow next to the Reading Pagoda. Predictions by Patty have been happening since 2014.

 

Pisgah Penny/Piper

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A Tree Squirrel

Location: Brevard, North Carolina

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 1/3 (33%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Residing in Brevard, North Carolina, another town known for its White Squirrels besides Bowling Green, Penny has made her predictions for “White Squirrel Day” and has done so since 2022, though she has recently passed and been taken over by Piper, her niece. Piper is blind, but that is not stopping her from looking into the future to try to predict 2025’s end of winter.

 

Polk County Paula

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A person in a Groundhog suit

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/8 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Paula’s prediction happens at sunrise as Groundhog enthusiasts line up early in the morning at the High Life Lounge for Free Breakfast Beer. Paula’s predictions have happened since 2011 with a few hiatuses.

 

Poor Richard

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A Taxidermied Groundhog

Location: York, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 7/10 (70%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Named after the “Poor Richard’s Almanac”, Richard has been predicting since 2001.

 

Poppy the Groundhog

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Millersville, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: No prediction

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/4 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Poppy was internationally known as well as Emmy nominated as an educational ambassador with Acorn Acres Wildlife. She retired in 2023 and is succeeded by Elliot the Groundhog.

 

Potomac Phil

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A Taxidermied Groundhog

Location: Washington D.C.

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 7/10 (70%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Now forever pictured with corn on the cob, Phil is DC’s most famous predictor, predicting both the weather and political climate. Along with an early spring prediction last year, he also predicted a political gridlock.

 

Queen City Charlie

Are they a groundhog? Not entirely.

What are they? A person in a Groundhog Mascot suit.

Location: Cumberland, Maryland

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/3 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Charlie replaced Mountain Maryland Murray in 2021. He has been perfect since taking over so far!

 

Sand Mountain Sam

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A Opossum

Location: Albertville, Alabama

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 7/10 (70%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

In 2020, the state’s game warden nearly cancelled the tradition that has been going since 2012, but Sam returned in 2022.

 

Schnogadahl Sammi

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A Taxidermied Groundhog

Location: Kresgeville, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 4/8 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Following no predictions in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic, Sammi retuned to predict in 2023, though he has predicted incorrectly both years since.

 

Scramble the Duck

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A Pekin Duck

Location: Eastford, Connecticut

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

In Eastford, Feb. 2nd is known as “Duck Day”, where Scramble is said to have the innate ability to predict due to the fact that ducks, “Live above ground”.

 

Shubenacadie Sam

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Sam is the usually the first to predict in North America on Groundhog day with a prediction time of 8 AM Atlantic Standard Time.

 

Sir Walter Wally

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Their 2024 Prediction: No prediction

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 4/8 (50%)

Sir Walter Wally retired in 2023 and was the official predicting grounhog for Raleigh, North Carolina.

 

Smith Lake Jake

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Smith Lake, Alabama

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/8 (75%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Jake is a house groundhog and is famous for his hat collection. He has been predicting since 2016.

 

Snerd

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Garner, North Carolina

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/10 (30%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Snerd predicts from White Deer Park in Garner and has been doing so since 2015.

 

Snohomish Slew

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A Bullfrog

Location: Snohomish, Washington

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/9 (33%)

Their 2025 Prediction: None Yet

Forecasting with two possibilities could be done with a flip of a coin. That is exactly what Slew does on every last day of January to determine the forecast.

 

Snowy the Prairie Dog

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Pend Oreille County, Washington

Their 2024 Prediction: No prediction

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/9 (33%)

Snowy began predicting in 2015 and retired in 2023 with a 33% accuracy when it comes to weather in Kentucky.

 

Staten Island Chuck

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: New York City, New York

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 7/10 (70%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Also known as Charles G. Hogg, Chuck is a resident of the Staten Island Zoo. Chuck is most notably known for biting the hand of former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Chuck has recently been cited as the most accurate groundhog at 85% accuracy by the NOAA.

 

Stonewall Jackson

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Wantage, New Jersey

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 8/9 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Stonewall Jackson is the 6th in a dynasty of Groundhogs and lives on Space Farms. 

 

Stormy Marmot

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A plush Yellow-Bellied Marmot

Location: Aurora, Colorado

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

 

Stumptown Fil

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A Beaver

Location: Portland, Oregon

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/5 (60%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Filbert, known as Stumptown Fil, is the Principal and an unofficial branch manager for the Oregon Zoo in Portland. Fibert was born in 2011, though his records of predictions only do back to 2020.

 

Sylvia the Armadillo

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? An Armadillo

Location: Apex, North Carolina

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/4 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Much like the opening scene of “The Lion King”, the Mayor of Apex, North Carolina raises Sylvia in the air while playing, “The Circle of Life”, allowing Sylvia to see into the future. She then whispers her prediction to the mayor to announce.

 

Tinicum Tim

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A Groundhog Puppet

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 7/7 (100%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Tim has a wife, Tinicum Tina, and twins. He has been predicting since 2011.

 

Two Rivers Tunnel

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 4/10 (40%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early Spring

Tunnel speaks in a distinct Groundhogese dialect, likely native to Cape Breton, where he is the official prognosticator.

 

Unadilla Billie

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A Taxidermied Groundhog

Location: Unadilla, Nebraska

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 2/3 (67%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

 

Uni the Groundhog

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A Taxidermied Groundhog

Location: Myerstown, Pennsylvania

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/9 (67%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Uni is placed on a raft every year to drift on the Tulpehocken creek, where he gives his weather prediction.

 

Van Island Violet

Are they a groundhog? No.

What are they? A Vancouver Island Marmot

Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 3/8 (38%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Vancouver Island Marmot, the type of Marmot Van Island Violet is is one of four species of marmot in Canada, though the only one considered at risk. Violet has predicted since 2017.

 

Wiarton Willie

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Wiarton, Ontario

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 5/10 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Willie is a white Groundhog and every Feb. 2nd, Willie announces his prediction to the only person that can speak “Groundhogese”, the Mayor of Wiarton.

 

Wildwood Willie

Are they a groundhog? Not exactly.

What are they? A Taxidermied Groundhog

Location: Toledo, Ohio

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 4/8 (50%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Wildwood Willie hosts a “Groundhogs Day” event at the Wildwood Preserve Metropark every year. Willie has been predicting since 2011.

 

Woodstock Willie

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Woodstock, Illinois

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 6/10 (60%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Woodstock, Illinois is the filming location for the popular and classic 1993 movie, “Groundhog Day”, starring Bill Murray. Woodstock Willy is the official groundhog of Woodstock.

 

Woody the Woodchuck

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Howell, Michigan

Their 2024 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 4/10 (40%)

Their 2025 Prediction: Early spring

Woody, Michigan’s official clairvoyant groundhog, has been prognosticating since right before Y2K. Woody’s forecast is dependent on how much time she spends on a tree stump. Greater than 30 seconds means an early spring and less than that is 6 more weeks of winter.

 

Yonah the Groundhog

Are they a groundhog? Yes!

Location: Cleveland, Georgia

Their 2024 Prediction: Early spring

Accuracy in the last 10 years: 4/5 (80%)

Their 2025 Prediction: 6 more weeks of winter

Known as the “world’s most famous meteorologist”, Yonah makes his prediction in North Georgia Wildlife Park. Along with Yonah, North Georgia Wildlife Park also has a Honey Badger named Barnabus, who predicts the result of every year’s NFL Super Bowl.

 

Groundhog Day is a tradition that extends far past Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with a large cast of our favorite furry (and feathered or scaly) forecasters predicting weather across North America. From Mojave Max in Las Vegas to Shubenacadie Sam in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, these animals bring their own ways to predict when winter will end. No matter whose prediction you follow, one thing remains abundantly true — Groundhog Day remains a time-honored celebration of community, tradition, and a whole lot of fun.