While Punxsutawney Phil might steal most of the headlines on Groundhog Day, he’s not the only groundhog with weather-predicting fame. In New York, Staten Island Chuck, also known as Charles G. Hogg, has been making his own forecasts since 1981. On February 2, 2025, Chuck delivered his eagerly awaited prediction: spring is on the way! This cheerful forecast was welcomed by many after enduring a long winter.
Staten Island Chuck’s 2025 Prediction
At 8 a.m. EST on Sunday, Staten Island Chuck emerged from his enclosure at the Staten Island Zoo to make his annual weather prediction. This year, Chuck did not see his shadow, signaling an early spring. His forecast was livestreamed on the Staten Island Zoo’s official Facebook page, allowing people from around the world to join in the tradition.
Chuck’s predictions are not just for show. With an impressive accuracy rate of 85%, Chuck’s forecasts are taken seriously by many. This success rate stands in stark contrast to his more famous counterpart, Punxsutawney Phil, who has an accuracy rate of around 39%.
The Legacy of Staten Island Chuck
Staten Island Chuck has been a part of New York’s Groundhog Day celebrations since 1981. Over the years, he’s become a beloved figure in the city, even having his own theme song performed by the Rock-A-Billy-Band.
In 2014, Chuck was temporarily replaced by his granddaughter, Charlotte. Unfortunately, during that year’s ceremony, Charlotte was accidentally dropped by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio. Although Charlotte passed away a few days later, the Staten Island Zoo stated it was unlikely her death was caused by the fall.
Despite this incident, the tradition carried on, and Chuck remains a key figure in New York’s Groundhog Day festivities.
Other Famous Weather-Predicting Groundhogs
While Chuck and Phil are the most well-known, several other groundhogs also take part in Groundhog Day predictions:
- General Beauregard Lee from Georgia
- Buckeye Chuck from Ohio
Each groundhog brings a unique charm to the celebrations, and their forecasts are eagerly anticipated by their local communities.
The Origins of Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day, celebrated every February 2, has roots in Candlemas, a Christian festival observed 40 days after Christmas. Candlemas marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.
In Europe, people believed that the weather on Candlemas could predict how long winter would last. Animals like bears, badgers, and hedgehogs were observed as they emerged from hibernation to help make these predictions.
When German immigrants arrived in Pennsylvania, they found groundhogs, which reminded them of the hedgehogs back in their homeland. Over time, the groundhog took on the role of the weather predictor, leading to the Groundhog Day tradition we know today.
Staten Island Chuck’s prediction of an early spring in 2025 brought smiles to many faces. With his high accuracy rate and charming presence, Chuck continues to be a cherished part of New York’s Groundhog Day celebrations. While Punxsutawney Phil may have the spotlight, groundhogs like Chuck, General Beauregard Lee, and Buckeye Chuck remind us that this quirky tradition is celebrated with equal enthusiasm in communities across the country.
Whether winter lingers or spring comes early, Groundhog Day is a fun way to embrace folklore, history, and a little bit of weather magic each year.
