Groundhog-Day.com: The leading Groundhog Day data source

February 2, 2023 4:52 PM

There are 69 weather-forecasting prognosticators in Canada or the USA who made predictions in 2022 — including 39 ‘alternative’ groundhogs. [Ed. other parts of the site have been updated for 2023]
Use the Groundhog Map to locate your fave prognosticator.
posted by Going To Maine (21 comments total)

(Lacks Mojave Maxine)
posted by Going To Maine at 4:55 PM on February 2, 2023

Nice
posted by riotnrrd at 5:13 PM on February 2, 2023 [4 favorites]

My dog mostly hid his face under covers all day, which I feel probably predicts more winter.

Can/should I submit him to the groundhog map?
posted by the primroses were over at 5:35 PM on February 2, 2023 [4 favorites]

One of my local news broadcasts had a weather guy who was always disgruntled on Groundhog Day, pointing out that regardless of what the groundhog says, we have six more weeks of winter because we have to get to the equinox before the season changed.

I was never sure how much of it was an act, but it always amused me.
posted by nubs at 5:40 PM on February 2, 2023 [2 favorites]

Quebec’s official groundhog, Fred la Marmotte, found dead hours before prediction broadcast

"In life, the only thing that's certain is that nothing is certain," said a serious Roberto Blondin in front of a crowd of awaiting spectators.

"Well, this year it's true. It's true and it's unfortunate. I announce to you the death of Fred."

Blondin said he found the lifeless animal overnight when he tried to wake him. He said he had "no vital signs" and figures Fred passed away in late fall or early December, during hibernation, at the age of nine.

posted by Pallas Athena at 6:50 PM on February 2, 2023 [5 favorites]

Boulder, CO has a Marmot named Flatiron Freddy that, "zip-lined on top of a wooden carving of a raptor to make his predictions"


6 more weeks.
posted by alex_skazat at 7:21 PM on February 2, 2023

Predicting more winter at the beginning of February seems a no-brainer.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 7:41 PM on February 2, 2023

So, I've poked around the site a bunch. Saw the groundhogs, the map, and their history of predictions.

One thing seems conspicuously absent: outcomes (i.e. "groundhog X predicted longer winter in 2022"). No accuracy prediction or anything, as one would expect.

It's almost as if groundhogs can't predict the weather and, in a massive conspiracy, They don't want us to know!
posted by MrGuilt at 7:41 PM on February 2, 2023 [5 favorites]

Fred la Marmotte was about to expose the conspiracy, but you know what happened...
posted by credulous at 7:59 PM on February 2, 2023 [2 favorites]

This is just calling out for a Voronoi diagram and filled gradients of winter probabilities.
posted by 3j0hn at 8:29 PM on February 2, 2023 [2 favorites]

Alternative Groundhogs, the best ever 90s garage band in Denton.






Hail Satan.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 8:45 PM on February 2, 2023 [4 favorites]

Currently missing Wiarton Willie, who has quite a story to tell - including a double groundhog murder and a cover-up, plus a whole Weekend at Bernie's situation. I was reminded of him in the other thread, and from going to Wiarton and seeing statues and pictures everywhere.

Unfortunately it looks like the form to add new ones is not accessible.

[Edit: wait, he's there! That must be a new addition in the past few hours!]
posted by montag2k at 8:53 PM on February 2, 2023 [2 favorites]

How does one apply for alternative groundhogship?
posted by prismatic7 at 10:53 PM on February 2, 2023

No No No!

WHY has metafilter of all places succumbed to the powers of Big Groundhog?!?

Next you'll be dowsing!
posted by SystematicAbuse at 12:08 AM on February 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

Tag yourself. I’m Fenwick Flossie.
posted by slogger at 4:56 AM on February 3, 2023

I’m with you, Systemic. Big Groundhog killed Fred.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 6:50 AM on February 3, 2023 [2 favorites]

For what it's worth, my favorite alternative groundhog is Pisgah Penny.

(She also predicts Superbowl winners)
posted by thivaia at 6:52 AM on February 3, 2023

[Edit: wait, he's there! That must be a new addition in the past few hours!]

Yet the total (nice) number of groundhogs has not changed! Who was eliminated to make room for Willie??? The groundhog conspiracy burrow gets deeper and deeper!?!?

(I’m sure it’s not that you missed it on first review. That’s what they want us to believe.)
posted by zamboni at 6:57 AM on February 3, 2023 [2 favorites]

I've never understood Groundhog Day. Where I live, six more weeks of winter is the best-case scenario.
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 12:18 PM on February 3, 2023 [2 favorites]

I was surprised to see that there are two (1, 2) groundhogs working in GA. For some reason the one named after racist traitors gets all the media attention.
posted by TedW at 2:00 PM on February 3, 2023

This is just calling out for a Voronoi diagram and filled gradients of winter probabilities.

I felt this was important to do, so I did it: https://twitter.com/3j0hn/status/1622726905224101894
posted by 3j0hn at 3:02 PM on February 6, 2023