Buckeye Chuck Predicts An Early Spring In 2026

Spring is just around the corner in Ohio — according to Buckeye Chuck, anyway.

Northeast Ohio's weather-predicting groundhog, who goes by the name of Murray, did not see his shadow at an event on Groundhog Day. The animal, which lives at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, is taken to Marion every year on Feb. 2 to make his prediction, looking for his shadow in the likes of Punxsutawney Phil.

The event drew Buckeye Chuck fans out for the morning festivities, held this year at the Marion County Fairgrounds.

Murray’s prediction stands in contrast to the famous Punxsutawney Phil, who predicted six more weeks of winter from his event at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania.

It’s also the opposite of what local feline Concord Casimir predicts: more cold on the way this winter.

Read more about Buckeye Chuck and Concord Casimir, Northeast Ohio’s two weather-predicting animals, in our 2024 Best of Cleveland feature.

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