Chattanooga Chuck Calls for 6 More Weeks of Winter

In a not-so-well-disguised promotional campaign, the Tennessee Aquarium has been telling the world all about its new star, Chattanooga Chuck (a groundhog, BTW).

Today is the day... Groundhog Day that is, when groundhogs around the world make their usually not-so-accurate weather prognostications.

According to a Tennessee Aquarium spokesperson, Chattanooga Chuck did indeed emerge today and saw his shadow, meaning the Tennessee Valley is in for six more weeks of winter.

According to Wikipedia, one of the very first American references to Groundhog Day is found in a diary entry, dated February 5, 1841, of Berks County, Pennsylvania storekeeper James Morris:

"Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."

However Wikipedia also says that in the Northern Hemisphere the official first day of Spring is almost seven weeks after Groundhog Day, on March 20 or March 21. About 1,000 years ago, before the adoption of the Gregorian calendar when the date of the equinox drifted in the Julian calendar, the spring equinox fell on March 16 instead. This is exactly six weeks after February 2.

The custom could have been a folk embodiment of the confusion created by the collision of two calendrical systems.

By far, the most notable groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Other groundhogs of note include Buckeye Chuck, General Beauregard Lee, Staten Island Chuck and Wiarton Willie.

No doubt Tennessee Aquarium officials hope Chattanooga Chuck might someday find his way onto that list. Chuck supposedly wrote a poem this morning to help further his fame.

I strolled within the Tennessee Aquarium’s halls,

To chat about weather with the animals.

The penguins were the first to step up and speak,

“More winter chill would suit our flippers and beaks.”

The butterflies inside Ocean Journey were all a flutter,

“We don’t want more cold,” they all seemed to mutter.

The lizards chirruped and screech owls did hoot,

“We’re worried about snow and more ice to boot.”

The sharks were all mum, but their big, toothy smiles,

Led me to believe winter will be staying awhile.

The tree frogs were singing a different tune,

“We think warmer temps will be coming soon.”

In the Cove Forest the otters were playin’.

Warm or cold? They simply weren’t sayin.’

Thousands of fish including catfish and trout,

Were waiting to hear if my shadow was out.

Some grumpy words came from a long-legged lad,

“It better be spring!” snapped the giant spider crab.

So up on my stump of old hickory,

I looked all around and what did I see?

Another good-lookin’ groundhog, or so it appeared.

Yikes it’s my shadow and back home I disappeared!!!!

Visitors to the Tennessee Aquarium can meet Chattanooga Chuck and all of the weather forecasting critters throughout February.

Visitors will explore the Wild Side of Weather at the Tennessee Aquarium during special animal encounter programs, keeper talks, dive shows and gallery chats.