Local groundhog predicts Chattanooga weather

Groundhog Day is just around the corner, and in Chattanooga the star of the show is likely to be Chattanooga Chuck, the Tennessee Aquarium's groundhog-in-residence. 

Feb. 2 will mark Chuck's third Groundhog Day forecast for the city, according to Tennessee Aquarium Communications Manager Thom Benson. 

With last year's call for a long winter being spot-on, expectations are high for this year's prediction. 

According to folklore, if a groundhog sees its shadow, six more weeks of winter will follow, and many Chattanoogans are hoping for just the opposite. 

However, Benson, who is in charge of promoting the aquarium's "Groundhog, Shadows, & Weather Predictions?" event, said that there may be more than just superstition behind the holiday. 

"Their reaction to atmospheric changes, in many cases, is how many came to view them as forecasters," Benson said. "In some cases, there is some scientific fact behind the folklore."

While Chuck is sure to steal most of the spotlight next Thursday, he may not be the only weather forecaster the aquarium houses, Benson said.

He said stingrays, sharks, catfish, trout, owls, butterflies and tarantulas are only a few of the more unlikely animals associated with meteorological predictions.

Throughout February, the aquarium will be showcasing these animals through its "Fintastic Folklore Forecasters" event, which explores the "weather fact" and "weather fiction" surrounding each animal. 

Despite Chattanooga Chuck's accuracy in the past, many UTC students  remain skeptical of animal forecasters.

Blake Smith, a sophomore from Chattanooga, said Groundhog Day is one of the country's most bizarre and awkward holidays. 

"I see it as strange because it is a holiday that centers around one specific event that is weird in itself, not centered around family, not heartwarming traditions, and not positive human aspects," Smith said.

Smith said that the superstition is too ridiculous to have fun with, though he admitted that making Groundhog Day into a local event was more appealing than the nation-wide events. 

Cory Stroupes, a sophomore from Chattanooga, said he considered Groundhog Day to be pretty shallow.

" It's a fake holiday used to satisfy the masses," Stroupes said.

He said he did not believe there was any evidence behind a groundhog's or any animal's weather predicting ability. 

"I think it's superstition," Stroupes said. "I mean, there may be correlations between the predictions and the actual weather, but I think it's just random occurrences." 

Despite the skepticism, Benson said the response to the event has been great. 

"Weather is one thing that we all have in common," Benson said. "This fun event combines some interesting history with nature and some of our most popular animals." 

Any UTC students interested in seeing Chattanooga Chuck or attending the aquarium's Fintastic Folklore Forecasters event can get a 50 percent discount off admission throughout February with their student ID.