Groundhog Day: How to watch the top woodchucks!

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania - Let's be real: Groundhog Day is everyone's favorite animal holiday. Here's the scoop on where and how you can tune in to the annual event. The only question is: which woodchuck will you watch?

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day in 2022 and predicted six more weeks of winter.
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day in 2022 and predicted six more weeks of winter.  © JEFF SWENSEN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Are you ready for a fuzzy fortune-teller to say if spring is on its way?

February 2 is Groundhog Day, when people across the US-of-A and Canada look to chubby rodents instead of meteorologists for their future weather forecast.

Per the myth, if the woodchuck sees its shadow, we'll be stuck with six more weeks of winter.

Dog misbehaves until owner pulls out the big guns: "I'm gonna tell Grandma!"
Dogs Dog misbehaves until owner pulls out the big guns: "I'm gonna tell Grandma!"

But if the puffy prognosticator doesn't catch a glimpse of his own shadow, an early spring is on its way.

Most will turn to the most famous groundhog in North America, Punxsutawney Phil of Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvaina, for the official word. But there are plenty of other fluffy authorities making predictions, too.

Here are the furry ones to watch this Groundhog Day!

Celebrate Groundhog day with Punxsutawney Phil

Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous weather-predicting woodchuck, giving his forecast since 1886.
Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous weather-predicting woodchuck, giving his forecast since 1886.  © JEFF SWENSEN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The most famous of the woodchucks' full title, per the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's website, is "Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary."

This purportedly immortal mammal has been making predictions since 1886. According to the group who are part of Phil's "inner circle" and his believers, the 20-pound beasty has never been wrong.

That said, the National Center for Environmental Information claims Phil has only been right 40 % of the time over the last 10 years.

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Animals Giraffes may soon end up on endangered list, US officials warn

In 2022, after a year hiatus of in-person Groundhog Day celebrations, the crowds were back on Gobblers Knob. Fans of the woodchuck also turned up en masse to the virtual livestream.

This year, Phil will have a big event in-person once again, book ended by a four-day-long affair of activities. His forecast will also be livestreamed, so fans can watch at home.

Groundhog Day has plenty of other famous woodchucks

Buckeye Chuck, a furry forecaster from Ohio, has been making predictions since 1979.
Buckeye Chuck, a furry forecaster from Ohio, has been making predictions since 1979.  © Screenshot/Facebook/Buckeye Chuck

But Phil isn't the only chubby predictor in town. There are fuzzy forecasters spread out across the US.

In fact, the second-most famous groundhog Staten Island Chuck, who calls Staten Island Zoo in New York home, will also be delivering his prediction this year. His 2023 showing will be a virtual event with special guests, to be streamed live on the zoo's Facebook page.

Beware though - last year, Chuck and Phil disagreed on their wintry predictions. Giving Phil a run for his money, Chuck's keepers claim he has an 80% success rate.

Adding to the fray, yet another Chuck has become a trusted source for fans. Buckeye Chuck in Ohio is a chubster that's been making predictions since 1979. In 2023, viewers can get his prediction in person or stream the Marion, Ohio event on his official Facebook page. According to WMRN Radio, he'll make his prediction around 7:40 AM on Thursday morning.

Then there's also Jimmy the Groundhog in Wisconsin. This woodchuck went viral in 2015 when he bit the mayor of Sun Prairie on his special day. His Prognostication Event will once again take place in 2023 in Downtown Sun Prairie’s Cannery Square at sunrise.

Regardless of which woodchuck you choose to watch, let's just hope all the cute critters make it to their special day. Last year, Milltown New Jersey had to cancel their celebration after their beloved forecaster Milltown Mel passed away.

Cover photo: JEFF SWENSEN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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