Seeking a local groundhog forecast? This may be NC’s only live prognosticator this year.
The world’s eyes turn to weather-guessing marmots on Thursday, weighing predictions from dozens of whiskered forecasters across the country — most famously Punxsutawney Phil and his top-hatted entourage.
But North Carolina’s roster of Groundhog Day prognosticators has dwindled down to a single whistle pig who still makes a live appearance: Snerd, Garner’s longtime weather guru.
At noon Thursday, Snerd gives his annual performance at White Deer Park, consulting the Internet rather than relying on archaic techniques.
The mighty have fallen
As far as groundhog-watchers can tell — and they’re happy to be corrected — Snerd will give North Carolina’s only live Groundhog Day show.
▪ Sir Walter Wally, Raleigh’s crowd-pleasing groundhog and perhaps the state’s best known, has retired from his regular posting at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The museum reports that its wildlife sanctuary supplier closed down during the pandemic, and no suitable replacement can be found.
▪ Queen Charlotte, who also retired last year from her namesake city, died shortly afterward at age 9.
▪ Pumpkin, who predicts winter’s duration from Chimney Rock State Park, is recovering from a veterinary visit and will take the year off. Rangers will post his forecast on the park’s page.
▪ Sylvia, the Apex armadillo who has diversified the state’s prognosticating mammal lineup, will make a private appearance at a town elementary school.
More mammals with a paw to the wind
Traditionalists can still catch the word from Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day, or switch channels to any of his many competitors:
Hear from Buffalo Bert in New York.
Or forget the whole thing and just look out the window.
