Woody, Michigan's Official Groundhog, Issues Apology
Snowflakes fell on the first day of spring Wednesday, contrary to the celebrated rodent's prediction of an early start to the season.
Michigan's Official Groundhog, Woody, who resides at the Howell Conference & Nature Center, has faced the fact that this year's seasonal prediction was incorrect.
Snowflakes fell Wednesday, which marked the official first day of spring, and Thursday's forecast calls for a 50 percent chance of snow showers, with a high near 32 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Not your average spring weather.
Like all female woodchuck prognosticators, Woody is not afraid to admit when she's wrong. And although she correctly picked the Baltimore Ravens to win the Super Bowl, she is avoiding March Madness in its entirety.
Some observers recalled Woody's hesitation that morning, when she exited her house, went back in, then came out again just in time to indicate an early spring. One witness to the prediction noted, "Some female woodchucks exhibit indecisiveness, and it was clearly on display that morning."
However, even if she may have been wrong this year, Woody's predictions have been spot on more often than not.
| Year | Prediction | Right/Wrong |
| 1999 | Shadow/Late Spring | Right |
| 2000 | No Shadow/Early Spring | Right |
| 2001 | No Shadow/Early Spring |
Wrong |
| 2002 | Shadow/Late Spring | Right |
| 2003 | Shadow/Late Spring | Right |
| 2004 | No Shadow/Early Spring | Right |
| 2005 | No Shadow/Early Spring | Wrong |
| 2006 | Shadow/Late Spring | Right |
| 2007 | No Shadow/Early Spring | Right |
| 2008 | No Shadow/Early Spring | Wrong |
| 2009 | Shadow/Late Spring | Right |
| 2010 | Shadow/Late Spring | Right |
| 2011 | Shadow/Late Spring | Right |
| 2012 | No Shadow/Early Spring | Right |
| 2013 | No Shadow/Early Spring | Wrong |
Source: press release
[Was Woody on the fence in her prediction this year? You be the judge. Watch the video above and tell us what you think in the comments.]
Sean
8:54 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Totally on the fence. That's alright, she'll learn from her mistake and give us a fully confident prediction next year