Did Buckeye Chuck see his shadow? Ohio's groundhog declares that spring is coming
Punxsutawney Phil isn't the only weather-predicting groundhog that enjoys a day of public spotlight. In northern Ohio, a ground-dweller by the name of Buckeye Chuck has made his call: Spring is coming.
Ohio's weather-predicting groundhog issued a proclamation Sunday morning, declaring that an early spring is on the way.
Buckeye Chuck may make the official weather prediction in Ohio, but he is far from the only groundhog known for his forecast on Groundhog Day, celebrated every Feb. 2. There's also General Beauregard Lee in Georgia and Staten Island Chuck in New York. And there's no forgetting Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania.
Here's what to know about Buckeye Chuck's Groundhog Day forecast and how to watch.
Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? What to know about the groundhog's prediction
When will Buckeye Chuck make his 2025 prediction?
Buckeye Chuck gave his forecast between 7-8 a.m. EST on Sunday.
How to watch and listen to Buckeye Chuck's 2025 Groundhog Day forecast
Buckeye Chuck's prediction was livestreamed on his Facebook Page. Radio station 1490 WMRN-AM, based in Marion, Ohio, also aired the forecast live − available on the iHeart mobile app.
Who is Buckeye Chuck?
Buckeye Chuck is Ohio's official weather-predicting groundhog, part of an event hosted by radio station WMRN. He began making predictions in the 1970s and was declared the official State Groundhog by the Ohio General Assembly in 1979.
Last year, Murray, a whistle pig, made his debut as the new "Buckeye Chuck." He resides at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
In 2023, for the first year, a stuffed groundhog was used to represent Buckeye Chuck. This occurred after complaints were filed by PETA that WMRN used Kokas Exotics, an exotic animal breeder, to supply a live groundhog for each year's event. PETA claimed that the breeder was only licensed to breed and sell animals, not exhibit them.
What did Buckeye Chuck predict in 2024?
Last year, Buckeye Chuck did not see his shadow, indicating that spring was right around the corner.
Why do we celebrate Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is celebrated every Feb. 2, the same day as Candlemas, in which some of the holiday's traditions originate.
A Christian festival, Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, is celebrated each Feb. 2, 40 days after Christmas. For centuries, Europeans developed different customs associated with the festival, which is the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, according to St. Blase Catholic Church. One of these customs was tied to the weather: the weather on Candlemas would determine the outcome of the remainder of winter. And throughout much of Europe, this custom was associated with animals like bears, badgers and hedgehogs that were beginning to wake from winter hibernation.
When German immigrants arrived to America, they found the groundhog in Pennsylvania, which reminded them of the hedgehog in their home country, according to St. Blase Catholic Church. And thus, this is how the groundhog was given such an important responsibility each year.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Buckeye Chuck says spring is coming on Ohio's Groundhog Day 2025
