Groundhog Day is a day where the meteorologist steps aside and lets a groundhog take over the forecast. In Germany, the tradition was to wake a badger and see if it crawled back into its burrow, as a sign of bad weather ahead. Groundhog Day dates back to 1886 with Punxsutawney Phil forecasting whether or not there will be an early spring. If Phil see his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If Phil DOESN’T see his shadow, there will be an early spring. Phil has gotten it right 39% of the time.
Now, central Indiana has its own groundhog. His name is Chuckie and he resides at the Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center in Delphi Indiana. Chuckie will be giving the “official” forecast for central Indiana. Either way, spring arrives on March 20th.
**Update: Chuckie did see his shadow this morning, forecasting 6 more weeks of winter! **