Buckeye Chuck brings good news: Early spring for Ohio in 2024
WMRN-AM MARION, Ohio - Ohioans can rejoice as Buckeye Chuck, the state’s official weather-predicting groundhog, did not see his shadow on Friday morning, signaling an early spring for 2024.
The furry forecaster emerged from his burrow behind the studios of WMRN Radio in Marion, where a crowd of fans and media gathered to witness the annual Groundhog Day tradition.
At 7:41 a.m., Buckeye Chuck delivered his verdict: “No shadow, no shadow, no shadow!”
According to legend, if a groundhog sees its shadow on Feb. 2, it means six more weeks of winter. If not, spring is around the corner.
Buckeye Chuck’s prediction was in line with his famous counterpart, Punxsutawney Phil, who also did not see his shadow in Pennsylvania.
This was Buckeye Chuck’s 44th year of making weather forecasts for Ohio and was officially recognized by the Ohio General Assembly in 1979.
Murray, "Buckeye Chuck", is a rescued groundhog who resides at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. He was found on the side of the road in Trumbull County and was adopted by a family who later realized he could not be released back into the wild.
He was brought to the museum in 2023, where he became an animal ambassador for his species and other wildlife in Ohio.
The museum’s director of wildlife, Jim Nemet, said Buckeye Chuck has been preparing for his big day by practicing his voluntary movements and enjoying positive reinforcement.
“Part of his responsibility here is to be an ambassador for his species, but all other species in Ohio in a lot of our education programs,” Nemet said.
The museum also thanked the community for their continued support of Buckeye Chuck and the event.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to share Buckeye Chuck with the people of Ohio and to celebrate this fun and quirky tradition that connects us with nature and each other,” the museum said in a statement.
The event was hosted ONAIR by Eric Mosley on iHeartMedia's WMRN-AM, which has been broadcasting Buckeye Chuck’s predictions for 44 years. iHeartMEDIA VP of programming, Chris Kelly said, "We are thrilled to partner with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, because this goes beyond the event itself, it's an educational opportunity for all of us to learn about these animals and to understand and appreciate their existence".
iHeartMEDIA also asked the visitors to support the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry by bringing a donation of cash or non-perishable food. Several non-perishable items were donated and over $500 in monetary donations collected. The first 100 donors received a “I Heart Buckeye Chuck” T-shirt.
Another highlight of the event was the Spam sandwich contest, where people submitted their recipes using the canned meat product, which is made with pork shoulder and ham, or “ground hog.” The winner of the contest received a $50 Visa gift card from Pillar Credit Union.
Buckeye Chuck’s prediction is a hopeful sign for Ohioans who are looking forward to warmer and sunnier days after a cold and snowy winter.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation.
Information on Buckeye Chuck, animal ambassador residing at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. https://www.cmnh.org/in-the-news/media-inquiries
Samantha Guenther
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