Georgia’s Groundhog Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter

JACKSON, Ga. — Georgia‘s famed groundhog, General Beauregard Lee, made his annual weather prediction on Groundhog Day, forecasting six more weeks of winter. The ceremony took place at the Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson, where Beau emerged shortly after 7:30 a.m. and saw his shadow, a sign traditionally interpreted as an extended winter.

This marks the 44th year that General Beauregard Lee has made his prediction. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Beau boasts an impressive 80% accuracy rate, significantly higher than his northern counterpart, Punxsutawney Phil, who has a 35% accuracy rate.

Beau’s handlers read a lighthearted proclamation during the ceremony, which included rhymes about winter activities and a playful warning about the extended cold. “Don’t kill the messenger!” they joked, as attendees braced for the news.

General Beauregard Lee, affectionately known as Beau, has been a staple of Georgia’s Groundhog Day celebrations for decades. He previously resided at the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary in Gwinnett County before relocating to Dauset Trails in 2017 after the sanctuary closed. Dauset Trails Director Ike English has credited Beau’s longevity and accuracy to a diet that includes Waffle House hash browns and water from Indian Springs.

While Beau’s predictions are a beloved tradition, meteorologists caution that groundhog forecasts should be taken as entertainment rather than scientific fact. Groundhog Day, celebrated annually on February 2, traces its origins to European folklore and has become a cultural phenomenon in the United States.

Beau’s name is a nod to Confederate history, referencing Generals P.G.T. Beauregard and Robert E. Lee. Despite the historical connotations, Beau remains a popular figure in Georgia, drawing crowds each year for his sunrise prediction ceremony.