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Freddie’s Nightmare? West Virginia’s noted rodent weatherman predicts longer winter

French Creek Freddie called for six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow Monday morning at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center. (Photo Provided)

FRENCH CREEK — French Creek Freddie called for six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow Monday morning, officials announced.

Around 10 a.m. Monday, the West Virginia State Wildlife Center’s resident weather-predicting groundhog, French Creek Freddie, emerged to a crowd of 150 visitors for the center’s 49th annual Groundhog Day Celebration.

In his annual prediction, Freddie saw his shadow, calling for six more weeks of winter, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced Monday.

According to folklore, if a groundhog sees its shadow, six more weeks of winter can be expected. However, if no shadow appears, an early spring is on the horizon.

Freddie’s counterpart in Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil, made the same prediction earlier Monday morning.

This year’s celebration was led by Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who announced Freddie’s prediction. Morrisey told the crowd he had a feeling this would not be the last time he’d visit French Creek to celebrate Freddie.

“I will tell you that there’s so much goodness going on here at this preserve and also all across West Virginia, and I know when it comes to the comparison with all the states, in one area that we’re doing really, really well is when we look at our state parks and our wildlife preserves,” Morrisey told the crowd Monday. “People know that West Virginia is unrivaled in its beauty… this is fundamental to what West Virginia’s all about. We’re a great outdoor state. We care about hunting and fishing, but also the amazing diversity of wildlife that we have.”

Over the past four decades, Freddie’s accuracy rate has been about 50%, making his forecasts a fun and time-honored tradition for West Virginians.

Members of the public were invited to attend the free event at the opening ceremony at the center’s amphitheater. Following the ceremony, guests were encouraged to take photos with Freddie and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and biscuits and gravy at the center’s gift shop.

Guests were also invited to participate in a “wood chucking” contest and explore the Wildlife Center, which features nearly 30 different species of native mammals, birds and reptiles.

“Groundhog Day is a cherished tradition here at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center, and we’re excited to welcome back Freddie’s adoring fans,” West Virginia State Wildlife Center Wildlife Biologist Mark Biller said in a release from WVDNR. “In addition to providing a fun event for families to enjoy, we will be announcing that the loop trail through the animal viewing area is being named an official Mountaineer Mile Trail.”

During the ceremony, Morrisey and WVDNR officials also announced that the State Wildlife Center’s loop trail has been officially designated as a Mountaineer Mile.

The Mountaineer Mile program was launched by Morrisey in 2025 at Little Beaver State Park to “encourage West Virginians to walk at least one mile each day and lead healthier lifestyles while enjoying the state’s public lands,” a press release from WVDNR states. Trails at 44 state parks and forests across the state have since been designated as official Mountaineer Mile trails.

“This program has been incredibly successful in getting West Virginians outside, moving more and making healthy lifestyle choices,” Morrisey said. “Designating a Mountaineer Mile at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center is a great way to encourage people to stay active during the winter months while enjoying our state’s natural beauty and wildlife.”

The designation at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center marks the first time a Mountaineer Mile trail has been established on a WVDNR-operated property outside the state parks system, WVDNR said in its release. The accessible loop trail provides visitors with “an easy way to stay active while observing native wildlife in a natural setting.”

For more information about the West Virginia State Wildlife Center, visit WVdnr.gov/west-virginia-wildlife-center.

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