MARION — One thought dominated all others upon hearing the news of Buckeye Chuck’s weather prediction Wednesday morning.
One had to wonder if the crusty critter was outside his cranium — with the impending forecast of white death looming over us it was simply hard to believe.
Nevertheless, on Wednesday at 7:41 a.m. in Marion, Buckeye Chuck, Ohio’s official Weather Forecasting Groundhog, emerged from his burrow at WMRN Radio under a gloomy sky and foreboding clouds.
Naturally, he did not see his shadow.
Hence, according to reliable folklore that means, “Spring Is Just Around the Corner!”
Obviously no one wants to doubt Marion’s famous varmint. It’s just a tough sell what with impending winter storm Landon bearing down on us — a storm so severe it has earned its own moniker.
Also, Buckeye Chuck is in direct contrast to Punxsutawney Phil, his groundhog cousin in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, who did see his shadow and is predicting six more weeks of winter.
Still, tradition and history show it’s not a good idea to bet against our state groundhog.
Buckeye Chuck was proclaimed “Ohio’s Official Weather Predicting Groundhog” in 1979 by the Ohio Legislature and since then AM-1490 WMRN Radio has held an annual celebration for Buckeye Chuck’s historic announcement.
Buckeye Chuck has correctly predicted the second half of Ohio’s weather about 70% of the time.
Hey, the Cincinnati Bengals are in the Super Bowl. This could be the year of miracles.
