Photo courtesy of the West Virginia DNR
French Creek Freddie, West Virginia’s most popular weather predictor, will welcome visitors to the State Wildlife Center on Sunday for the annual Groundhog Day Celebration.
FRENCH CREEK — Groundhog Day falls on a Sunday this year, but that won’t stop West Virginia’s own prognosticating groundhog, French Creek Freddie, from predicting what kind of weather lies ahead of us.
Freddie will make his prediction during the annual Groundhog Day Celebration at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek, which is open to the public and will begin at 9:30 a.m.
“Freddie is currently hibernating, but he’ll wake up on Sunday to welcome hundreds of visitors,” a West Virginia Division of Natural Resources press release states.
“It’s great to showcase him,” said Tyler Evans, a wildlife biologist for the DNR. “Not too many animals have their own day. Groundhogs are usually overlooked, but they are fascinating animals — the only one we have here at the Wildlife Center that’s a true hibernator.”
“To prepare for hibernation, Freddie gains as much weight as possible during the summer so his body can make it through the winter while he sleeps for months at a time,” the release states. “During hibernation, a groundhog’s body temperature drops to slightly above freezing. Their breathing and heart rate also slows down. But come Groundhog Day, Freddie is ready to come out of his burrow.”
According to the release, “According to tradition, we can expect an early spring if it’s cloudy and Freddie doesn’t see his shadow. If it’s sunny and Freddie’s shadow is visible, he’ll return to his burrow and winter will last six more weeks.
“Groundhog Day customs are rooted in a European superstition that bad weather will come if an animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2. The modern celebration was started in the 1800s by German farmers living in Pennsylvania, not far from where Freddie’s cousin, Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous furry forecaster, makes his own prediction each year. Phil may have better name recognition, but Wildlife Center workers say he isn’t as reliable as Freddie when it comes to forecasting.”
So, how accurate have French Creek Freddie’s predictions been over the years?
“Freddie has been predicting the arrival of spring since 1978,” the release states.
“In the past 40 years, his forecasts have an accuracy rate of about 50 percent. Evans swears by Freddie’s ability to predict the weather, but he admits flipping a coin will get you about the same results.”
“It’s all fun and an opportunity to get out and see Freddie and enjoy all the activities we have to offer,” Evans said.
“It’s also a day where people can come out and tour the Wildlife Center. Hopefully, the weather will be nice enough to do that.”
“Current forecasts are mostly cloudy with temperatures in the upper 30s, perfect conditions for an early spring prediction,” the release states.
For more information, call the West Virginia State Wildlife Center at 304-924-6211.