Yes, the idea of a rodent forecasting the weather is silly. That said, A lot of people across the country have a fun time each winter with the concept of Groundhog Day.

Everyone knows about the famous groundhog named Phil who gets all of the headlines each year. What many don't know is that there are a number of other groundhogs around the country that are also in the weather forecasting business - including in Wisconsin.

But just how accurate are these furry forecasters? As it turns out, some of them are quite accurate!

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration analyzed the forecast accuracy of a number of groundhogs that get in on predicting when winter will end over a 20-year span.

As it turns out, a Wisconsin groundhog is not only more accurate than Punxsutawney Phil, but it is one of the most accurate in the country!

Who is this Wisconsin weather-forecasting groundhog? How accurate is it?

Photo by Ralph Katieb on Unsplash
Photo by Ralph Katieb on Unsplash
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Did you know Wisconsin had a weather-forecasting groundhog? His name is Jimmy the Groundhog and he lives in the Southern Wisconsin town of Sun Praire, just northeast of Madison.

Jimmy is actually one of two weather-forecasting groundhogs in Wisconsin, but NOAA only looked at data for groundhogs who have been doing predictions for 20 years or longer. Jimmy just so happens to be one of 19 around the country that has been doing so.

The City of Sun Prairie website explains that they have a history of groundhog weather forecasts that extends back to the late 1800's, but the legacy of Jimmy started in 1965. Jimmy was named after Sun Prairie resident Jim Weigen, who helped acquire the first Jimmy.

How accurate is Wisconsin's Jimmy the Groundhog? How does he compare to Punxsutawney Phil?

Winter Weather Oracle Punxsutawney Phil Makes Annual Groundhogs Day Appearance
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Based on the NOAA research, Jimmy has a 60% accuracy rate over the last 20 years, which is statistically way better than a coin-flip, and sometimes way better than some human weather forecasters.

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It also happens to be way better than the famous Punxsutawney Phil, who only has a 35% accuracy rate.

Where does Wisconsin's Jimmy the Groundhog rank among others in the country?

Groundhog Day Is Celebrated In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
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With Jimmy's 60% accuracy rate, he is among the best to predict if we'll see an early spring or more winter.

NOAA says Jimmy is the 6th most accurate rodent forecaster among the 19 across the country with a 20 consecutive year (or longer) forecasting record. It is worth noting that some cities use things like a prairie dog, and a couple use a statue.

The only groundhogs above Jimmy are:

  1. Staten Island Chuck (New York) - 85% accuracy rate
  2. General Beauregard Lee (Georgia) - 80% accuracy rate
  3. Lander Lil Prairie Dog Statue (Wyoming) - 75% accuracy rate
  4. Concord Charlie Never Seen (West Virginia) - 65% accuracy rate
  5. Gertie the Groundhog (Illinois) - 65% accuracy rate

Punxsutawney Phil is way down the list at 17th most accurate. That's pretty disappointing for the groundhog that gets all the press across the country.

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What Wisconsin cities get the most snow each winter? Here are the 20 snowiest Wisconsin towns according to data from NOAA spanning from 1991-2020.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper

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