Groundhogs , Have Dueling Predictions , About When Spring Will Get Here.<br />Once a year, Americans ask groundhogs to predict <br />the end of winter, and this year, two of the furry <br />forecasters had differing predictions. .<br />NPR reports that Pennsylvania's <br />Punxsutawney Phil failed to see his shadow, <br />which would mean six more weeks of winter. .<br />NPR reports that Pennsylvania's <br />Punxsutawney Phil failed to see his shadow, <br />which would mean six more weeks of winter. .<br />However, Staten Island Chuck, otherwise <br />known as Charles G. Hogg, saw his shadow, <br />which would mean an early spring. .<br />However, Staten Island Chuck, otherwise <br />known as Charles G. Hogg, saw his shadow, <br />which would mean an early spring. .<br />Last year, the two forecasting rodents <br />had the same differing predictions. .<br />The result, was an unseasonably <br />cold February and a warmer March, .<br />The result, was an unseasonably <br />cold February and a warmer March, .<br />... which means that, in a way, <br />both groundhogs were right. .<br />Despite this, NPR reports that as a species, groundhogs are not the most reliable meteorologists, according to recent research. .<br />Last summer, a study looked at 530 different groundhog predictions across 33 locations. .<br />The study found that groundhogs <br />were right exactly 50% of the time.<br />Using a novel phenological indicator <br />of spring, this study determined, <br />without a shadow of a doubt, <br />that groundhog prognosticating <br />abilities for the arrival of spring <br />are no better than chance, Researchers, American Meteorological <br />Society publication, via NPR.<br />Some standouts from the study include:.<br />Connecticut's Essex Ed and New Jersey's <br />Stonewall Jackson were accurate <br />with their predictions over 70% of the time.<br />Connecticut's Essex Ed and New Jersey's <br />Stonewall Jackson were accurate <br />with their predictions over 70% of the time.<br />However, Ohio's Buckeye Chuck <br />and New York's Dunkirk Dave ended up <br />being wrong more than 70% of the time. .<br />However, Ohio's Buckeye Chuck <br />and New York's Dunkirk Dave ended up <br />being wrong more than 70% of the time.
