HANNA CITY, Ill. (25 News Now) -- A Hanna City rodent is now nationally ranked.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) crunched the numbers to see which groundhogs had the most accurate predictions for early or late spring over the past 20 years.
Wildlife Prairie Park’s ‘Gertie the Groundhog’ was ranked fifth, predicting 65% correct since 2005.
The theory goes like this: If a groundhog sees its shadow, it means we “should” have six more weeks of winter. If it does not, that means an early spring.
Gertie’s is 30% more accurate than the famous “Punxsutawney Phil” from Pennsylvania.
“Gertie, as we’ve heard, is pretty accurate around here,” said Winter Katterhenry, Wildlife Prairie Park’s education manager and animal keeper. “She’s all bundled up. She’s ready to tell us what the weather will be like. I think a lot of people are just excited to get out with their community.”
For the obligatory “Groundhogs are not Meteorologists” comment, 25News spoke with the National Weather Service in Lincoln.
“If you study weather at any reputable school, that’s about the third thing they teach you behind woolly worms and persimmon seeds, it’s the groundhog’s shadow,” NWS Meteorologist Mike Albano said. “There’s no science behind this. More folklore and fun than anything else.”
Wildlife Prairie Park’s Groundhog Day is Sunday, Feb. 2.
Park admission is free from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., with Gertie’s official prognostication at 7:08 a.m. The event features crafts, snacks, and live music.
