Staten Island Chuck
Encyclopedia
Staten Island Chuck, also referred to more formally as Charles G. Hogg, is a groundhog
who resides in the Staten Island Zoo
in Staten Island, New York in the United States
. He is noted as the official groundhog meteorologist
of New York City
who predicts the duration of winter each February 2 on Groundhog Day
. He makes the prediction based on whether or not he sees his shadow at 7:30 A.M. on Groundhog Day. The ceremony at the zoo is often attended and officiated by the Mayor of New York City
(currently Michael Bloomberg). Chuck's prediction for 2011 (in conjunction with Punxsutawney Phil's matching prediction) is early spring.
Groundhog
The groundhog , also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, or in some areas as a land-beaver, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Other marmots, such as the yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but...
who resides in the Staten Island Zoo
Staten Island Zoo
The Staten Island Zoo is a small urban zoo in northern Staten Island in New York City in the United States. The zoo is open year round except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day...
in Staten Island, New York in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He is noted as the official groundhog meteorologist
Meteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
who predicts the duration of winter each February 2 on Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end...
. He makes the prediction based on whether or not he sees his shadow at 7:30 A.M. on Groundhog Day. The ceremony at the zoo is often attended and officiated by the Mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
(currently Michael Bloomberg). Chuck's prediction for 2011 (in conjunction with Punxsutawney Phil's matching prediction) is early spring.
Past Predictions
The Staten Island Zoo claims that Chuck has correctly predicted the duration of winter 80% of the time since the 1980s.| Year | Prediction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | early spring | Punxsutawney Phil also predicted early spring(Featured on 1 episode of Cake Boss Cake Boss Cake Boss is an American reality television series, airing on the cable television network TLC. Set at Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey, the show mainly follows Buddy Valastro, his mother, four sisters, and three brothers-in-law, as they operate their business, with a focus on how they make... ). |
| 2010 | early spring | Again in contrast to Punxsutawney Phil's prediction of six more weeks of winter. |
| 2009 | early spring | In contrast to Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney Phil is a groundhog resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. On February 2 of each year, the town of Punxsutawney celebrates the beloved groundhog with a festive atmosphere of music and food... 's prediction of six more weeks of winter. In this notorious prediction, Chuck bit Mayor Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States... during the ceremony. |
| 2008 | early spring |
See also
- Punxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney Phil is a groundhog resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. On February 2 of each year, the town of Punxsutawney celebrates the beloved groundhog with a festive atmosphere of music and food...
- Balzac BillyBalzac BillyBalzac Billy, the "Prairie Prognosticator", is a "groundhog" mascot who prognosticates weather on Groundhog Day. He lives in Balzac, Alberta, 8 km north of Calgary, Alberta....
- Buckeye ChuckBuckeye ChuckBuckeye Chuck, Ohio's official weather-predicting groundhog, resides in Marion, Ohio. He is one of two groundhogs in Ohio known for predicting the arrival of spring on Groundhog Day . A native of Ohio, Chuck began predicting the arrival of spring in the 1970s...
- General Beauregard LeeGeneral Beauregard LeeGeneral Beauregard Lee is a groundhog that resides at the Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn, Georgia just outside of Atlanta. He has received honorary doctorates from the University of Georgia - "DWP, Doctor of Weather Prognostication" and Georgia State University - "Doctor of Southern...
- Wiarton WillieWiarton WillieWiarton Willie is a famous albino Canadian groundhog who lived in the community of Wiarton in Bruce County, Ontario. Every February 2, on Groundhog Day, Willie took part in the local Wiarton Willie Festival. His role is to predict whether there will be an early spring...