RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina groundhogs have spoken and the majority of the predictions indicate we're in for six more weeks of winter.

What You Need To Know

  • Many of North Carolina’s Groundhog Day events indicate six more weeks of winter

  • Summer, the groundhog from the Akron Zoo, participated in Raleigh’s virtual event

  • Snerd, the groundhog in Garner, and Sylvia, the armadillo in Apex, both predicted six more weeks of winter

The Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh held a virtual Groundhog Day event on Wednesday. They’ve been celebrating the holiday for 21 years.

Unfortunately, Sir Walter Wally couldn’t join them this year. Summer, the groundhog from the Akron Zoo, joined the Zoom call. Event organizers say they do keep track of how accurate they are.

“The groundhog here at the Museum of Natural Sciences, our Shadow Ceremony, has been right something like more than 60% of the time. Pretty good. I think Punxsutawney Phil, that other groundhog who is famous, his record is in the high thirties percentage. We feel pretty good,” Curator for the museum’s Daily Planet Theater Chris Smith said.

Smith says the holiday is also a great way to teach people about groundhogs

“Groundhogs also have ever-growing incisors. We know they have big teeth. They’re constantly growing and helping them chew up their food. Groundhogs can grow up to about 12 pounds, but of course when we move into winter, they go underground and hibernate. They can lose up to half of their body weight while they’re in hibernation, burning those energy reserves to keep themselves alive during the cold weather,” Smith said.

Smith said organizers hope the event can be held on the plaza outside the museum next year like it usually is. Meanwhile, Snerd, the groundhog in Garner, and Sylvia, the armadillo in Apex, both predicted six more weeks of winter.

In Charlotte, Discovery Place Nature shared a statement about their famous groundhog.

“After many years of service, our city’s beloved Queen Charlotte has decided to retire from public life. She gets treats and enrichment from her caregivers, but we will no longer ask her to make public appearances or predictions.”

At Chimney Rock Park, Pumpkin the Groundhog did not see his shadow and has predicted an early spring. He also predicted the Los Angeles Rams to win the Super Bowl.

Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania also saw his shadow, which means there won’t be an early spring. However, 11 out of 14 groundhogs across the nation did not see their shadow, which indicates an early spring.