Georgia's General Beauregard 'Beau' Lee sees his shadow on Groundhog Day

Gen. Beauregard 'Beau' Lee sees his shadow

Georgia's own General Beauregard "Beau" Lee saw his shadow in Jackson, Georgia, on Groundhog Day, predicting 6 more weeks of winter. 

Sad news for those hoping for an early spring. General Beauregard "Beau" Lee in Jackson, Georgia, saw his shadow shortly after 7:30 a.m. Monday, predicting 6 more weeks of winter. 

Lee is not the only one who saw his shadow though. Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania also saw his shadow.

General Beauregard 'Beau' Lee sees his shadow

Georgia's own groundhog, General Beauregard "Beau" Lee, in Jackson, Georgia, saw his shadow on Monday morning, predicting 6 more weeks of winter.

However, Yonah the Groundhog, who resides at the North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park in Cleveland, did not see his shadow, which means an early spring. 

Paul Milliken visits Fresh Air Barbecue

Paul Milliken stopped by Fresh Air Barbecue in Jackson, Georgia, after Groundhoug Day at Dauset Trails Nature Center. 

ORIGINAL STORY

After three weekends in a row of winter weather, many across Georgia are probably wondering when spring will begin. Well, good news! Monday, three of America's favorite groundhogs will emerge once again to make a meteorological prediction for the start of the season. 

Georgia groundhog expected to make prediction Monday

Georgia's groundhog, General Beauregard "Beau" Lee is expected to make his Groundhog Day prediction around 7:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2. Paul Milliken is in Jackson for the big event. 

What we know:

Punxsutawney Phil will emerge to make his annual weather prediction at sunrise on Monday. The ceremony takes place at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where sunrise is set for 7:07 a.m. on Feb. 2, according to the National Weather Service.

What we know:

Georgia’s most famous groundhog will be doing what he’s done for decades. General Beauregard "Beau" Lee will make his annual prediction at Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson. Gates open at 6 a.m., with Beau’s big moment set for 7:30 a.m.

What we know:

Yonah the Groundhog will emerge at 8 a.m. inside North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park. There will also be appearances from the park’s baby honey badgers — Zena, Zelda and Zuri — plus one of its resident hedgehogs.

Groundhog Day history

Big picture view:

Groundhog Day traces its roots to ancient Celtic traditions, where Imbolc marked the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Early Christians celebrated Candlemas around the same time, and German immigrants brought the custom of weather-forecasting animals to America, swapping European hedgehogs and badgers for the native groundhog.

Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil has been at it since 1887, but Georgia’s Beau gives him a run for his money — especially in the accuracy department.

Which groundhog is more accurate?

By the numbers:

According to a 2022 study by FiveThirtyEight.com, Beau boasts a 63% accuracy rate for predictions from 2012 to 2021, outshining Phil’s 45.5%. The Dauset Trails Nature Center claims Beau’s accuracy is even higher, somewhere in the 90% range.

Last year, both Phil and Beau predicted six more weeks of winter. 

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