Like Punxsutawney Phil, French Creek Freddie has predicted the weather of 2025 on Groundhog Day. Freddie's forecast seemingly brought a sigh of relief to the people of West Virginia, as he predicted an early spring in 2025. However, questions about his accuracy have arisen.
Freddie appeared just after 10 am on February 2, 2025, and no shadow predicted that people could expect a warmer season soon. If the groundhog had seen his shadow, it would have meant that there would be another six weeks of winter.
According to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, French Creek Freddie has an accuracy of 50 percent in the past four decades. On Groundhog Day 2024, Freddie did not see his shadow and predicted an early spring. While the weather was snowy and cold, the average daily high of the month was 39 degrees. The weather did not warm up until May last year.
A press release by West Virginia DNR stated that Tyler Evans, a wildlife biologist, has talked about Freddie's accuracy.
"In the past 40 years, his forecasts have an accuracy rate of about 50 percent. Evans swears by Freddie’s ability to predict the weather, but he admits flipping a coin will get you about the same results."
Evans added that the day is filled with fun as it is "an opportunity to get out and see Freddie and enjoy all the activities we have to offer."
"It’s also a day where people can come out and tour the Wildlife Center. Hopefully, the weather will be nice enough to do that."
How did French Creek Freddie get his name?
For the unversed, Groundhog Day began in the 1800s as a German Pennsylvania tradition with Punxsutawney Phil. However, the predictions of West Virginia's French Creek Freddie did not become a tradition until 1978. He began forecasting weather when Bill Vanscoy, former West Virginia State Wildlife Center Superintendent, told a report that there was a groundhog on site.
According to the outlet, he said,
"I don’t remember what I told him, but it was whatever was appropriate to the weather we were having. Anyway, he asked me what the groundhog’s name was. I don’t know what possessed me to do it but I skipped the usual lecture on why we don’t name animals and said his name was French Creek Freddie."
Since then, the groundhog forecasting weather has been given his name.
"It went out on The Associated Press wire and soon we were getting calls from all over the county. Every year now, people from newspapers and TV stations come out on Groundhog Day and we kick a groundhog out of its den for the cameras. It’s harmless fun and it comes at a time of the year when people need some cheering up," Vanscoy added.
Now, all eyes are on French Creek Freddie, whose forecast says 2025 will see an early spring. On the contrary, Punxsutawney Phil has predicted a few more weeks of winter.

Your perspective matters!
Start the conversation