Staten Island Chuck (groundhog weather prognosticator)
The Staten Island Zoo has celebrated each Groundhog Day (February 2nd) since 1982 with “Staten Island Chuck,” also known as “Charles G. Hogg.” If “Chuck” sees his shadow, that means a late spring; if ‘Chuck” doesn’t see his shadow, that means an early spring. New York’s mayor often takes part in the festivities; in 2009, Mayor Michael Bloomberg was bitten by Chuck.
The Staten Island Zoo claims that its groundhog is correct at forecasting spring 80% of the time.
Wikipedia: Staten Island Chuck
Staten Island Chuck, also referred to more formally as Charles G. Hogg, is a groundhog who resides in the Staten Island Zoo in Staten Island, New York in the United States. He is noted as the official groundhog meteorologist of New York City who predicts the duration of winter each February 2 on Groundhog Day. He makes the prediction based on whether or not he sees his shadow at 7:30 A.M. on Groundhog Day. The ceremony at the zoo is often attended and officiated by the Mayor of New York City (currently Michael Bloomberg).
Google News Archive
3 February 1982, Lodi (CA) News-Sentinel, “Latest winter storm increases death toll” by United Press International, pg. 12, col. 5:
And at New York’s Staten Island Zoo, Chuck the groundhog blinked and then ambled around—a sign spring will come early this year.
Google News Archive
3 February 1984, Lakeland (FL) Ledger, “Groundhog forecast? Depends who you believe” by The Associated Press, pg. 8A, col. 4:
New York’s “Chuck” dashed back into his hole at the Staten Island Zoo after spotting his shadow.
3 February 1986, Newsday (Long Island, NY), “Shadow of Doubt About Spring” by Sandra Peddie, pg. 21:
Punxsutawney Phil, perhaps the best-known groundhog prognosticator, led the chorus of predictions of an early spring when he failed to see his shadow in a five-minute ceremony conducted by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club in Punxsutawney, Pa. That prediction was similarly made by Staten Island [Woodrow K. Chuck]; Piglet in the Bronx; Dunkirk Dave of upstate Dunkirk; General Lee in Lilburn, Ga.; Concord Charlie in Athens, W. Va.; Jimmy the Groundhog in Sun Prairie, Wis.; Lander Lil in Lander, Wyo.; and an unnamed rodent in Quarryville, Pa.
Google News Archive
2 February 1990, Ellensburg (WA) Daily Record, “Punxsatawney Phil—Groundhog sees no shadow so spring is near!” (UPI), pg. 2, col. 3:
Mr. Charles Hogg of New York, known as Staten Island Chuck, climbed out of his den at the Staten Island Zoo at 7:07 a.m. Friday and saw no shadow.
New York (NY) Times
But Are They Better Than Al Roker?
Published: February 03, 1997
For 15 years, Staten Island Chuck has been summoned from his den to do battle with Punxsutawney Phil on Feb. 2, Groundhog Day. At least three groundhogs have played the role of Chuck, and many more have played Phil; the lifespan for the species, Marmota monax, is only four or five years.
The Guardian (UK)
Staten Island Chuck: furry forecaster who doesn’t groundhog the spotlight
Groundhog Day celebrity Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t want you to know about Charles G Hogg, his up-and-coming New York rival
Saabira Chaudhuri
Thursday 2 February 2012 01.00 EST
Charles G Hogg – or Staten Island Chuck, as he is more commonly known – has been dealt a tough hand. Not only is he occasionally afraid of his own shadow, he has spent his life living in the shadow of a far more revered rival, one who, thanks to Hollywood, is famous around the world: a groundhog called Punxsutawney Phil.
Yes, Chuck is America’s other weather-predicting groundhog.
New York (NY) Daily News
Groundhog Day 2012: Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow - but Staten Island Chuck doesn’t
By Reuven Blau AND Philip Caulfield / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Thursday, February 2, 2012, 8:51 AM
(...)
Judging by temperatures in the northeast recently, it appears that Chuck — whose formal name is Charles G. Hogg — has a keener weather sense than his cousin in the Keystone State.
(...)
Chuck has been performing the annual Groundhog Day ritual for three decades, and the Staten Island Zoo claims he’s made the right call 80% of the time.