Buckeye Chuck
Buckeye Chuck, Ohio's official weather-predicting groundhog,[1] resided in Marion, Ohio, US, until June 2023 and has resided at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in Cleveland since then.[2] He is one of two whistlepigs (another name for groundhogs) in Ohio known for predicting the arrival of spring on Groundhog Day (February 2). A native of Ohio, Chuck began predicting the arrival of spring in the 1970s.[3] In addition, the Ohio General Assembly declared Buckeye Chuck the official State Groundhog in 1979.[4] However, from 2006 to 2015, Chuck's forecast was correct only twice.[5]
According to the legend of Groundhog Day, the groundhog's behavior is a way of forecasting the weather. If the groundhog pops out from its burrow, sees his shadow, and then disappears again, it will mean that winter is to continue for six more weeks. But if the groundhog does not see its shadow, then it will not be scared to come out of its burrow and winter will soon end.
Past predictions[edit]
| Year | Prediction |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Early spring[6] |
| 2023 | 6 more weeks of winter |
| 2022 | Early spring |
| 2021 | Early spring |
| 2020 | Early spring |
| 2019 | Early spring |
| 2018 | 6 more weeks of winter |
| 2017 | 6 more weeks of winter |
| 2016 | 6 more weeks of winter[7] |
| 2015 | Early spring[8] |
| 2014 | Early spring[9] |
| 2013 | Early spring[10] |
| 2012 | Early spring[11] |
| 2011 | Early spring[12] |
| 2010 | Early spring[13] |
| 2009 | 6 more weeks of winter[14] |
| 2008 | Early spring[5] |
| 2007 | Early spring[5] |
| 2006 | 6 more weeks of winter[5] |
See also[edit]
- Balzac Billy
- Fred la marmotte
- General Beauregard Lee
- Punxsutawney Phil
- Shubenacadie Sam
- Staten Island Chuck
- Stormy Marmot
- Wiarton Willie
References[edit]
- ^ "Discover Ohio - Buckeye Chuck - Groundhog Day". Archived from the original on August 3, 2009. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ^ Nickoloff, Annie (January 10, 2024). "Buckeye Chuck, Ohio's Weather-Predicting Groundhog, Now Lives in Cleveland". Cleveland Magazine. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "Buckeye Chuck - Ohio History Central".
- ^ "Famous Groundhogs Around the World - Punxsutawney Phil to Wiarton Willie". Archived from the original on January 10, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Cooley, Patrick (February 1, 2016). "Groundhog Day 2016: Buckeye Chuck's very spotty prediction record since 2006". Cleveland, Ohio: cleveland.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ "Groundhog Day: Did Buckeye Chuck see his shadow?". WBNS-TV. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Andrew, Marion Star (February 2, 2016). "Buckeye Chuck: 6 more weeks of winter". WKYC. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Chuck says early spring; Phil disagrees". The Marion Star. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
- ^ Puskar, Gene J.; Rubinkam, Michael (February 2, 2014). "Groundhog Day: Buckeye Chuck, Punxsutawney Phil make predictions". The Columbus Dispatch. Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 23, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ Williams, Mark (February 2, 2013). "Spring comes early according to Buckeye Chuck". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ "Buckeye Chuck in Marion fails to see shadow, 'predicts' spring is near". Mansfield News Journal. Mansfield, OH. February 2, 2012.
- ^ Seitz, Colleen (February 2, 2011). "No shadows for Buckeye Chuck and Punxsutawney Phil mean early spring". WEWS. Cleveland, OH. Archived from the original on February 4, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ "Weather-Predicting Groundhogs Don't Agree". WCMH-TV. February 2, 2010. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012.
- ^ Willis, Donna (February 2, 2009). "Buckeye Chuck Makes Prediction: 6 More Weeks". NBC4i.com. Columbus, OH. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
External links[edit]
- ohiohistorycentral.org - Ohio History Central: Buckeye Chuck