MARION, Ohio  - Buckeye Chuck is predicting an early spring in Ohio after not seeing his shadow this year.

Chuck made his annual prediction Wednesday morning in Marion.

The groundhog got his name over 40 years ago. 

Buckeye Chuck is named after Marion radio host Charles Evers. A groundhog would come and visit Evers off and on from the woods next to the station. He asked his listeners what the groundhog’s name should be, and they voted to name him Buckeye Chuck.

Evers’ mission didn’t stop there. In 1979, he worked with state legislators to make Buckeye Chuck the official weather casting groundhog for Groundhog Day.

“He took it to the General Assembly and said, Hey, why don’t we make Buckeye Chuck Ohio’s official groundhog from here on out,” said Paul James, the program coordinator at iHeart Media in Marion. “They agreed and that’s why Buckeye Chuck does his annual appearance.” 

Groundhog Day is a nationally recognized holiday that descends from folklore. Groundhogs would usually come out in the middle of winter to either find food or mate. If the weather was dark, cold, and dreary, the groundhog would stay out meaning spring was right around the corner. If the weather was sunny, bright and warm, the groundhog would get scared by its shadow and go back into its burrow to await another six weeks of winter weather.

The Buckeye Chuck we know today is a descendent of the original. 

“He doesn’t live in a burrow out there anymore,” said James. “He lives in the wonderful lap of luxury with Kokas Exotics.” 

Buckeye Chuck lives a comfortable, celebrity lifestyle. Since he only works once a year, he spends the other 364 days being taken care of by his handler, Ashley Kokas. Kokas has been raising groundhogs since she was born and says Buckeye Chuck doesn’t let fame get to his head.

“He was bottle-raised when he was first born and we love him and he’s so sweet,” said Kokas, Buckeye Chuck’s handler. 

Since 1979, Buckeye Chuck has had a 70% accuracy rating. In the past 10 years, he’s only been wrong twice reporting an accurate reading last year.

“News agencies from all around the country take what Buckeye Chuck has to say about what Ohio’s weather is going to be for the rest of winter,” said James. 

If he’s right this year, he’ll get an extra helping of cheerios and sweet potatoes, which are some of his favorite snacks. 

Kokas says while she is hoping for warm weather soon, she’ll be proud of Chuck either way.

“I have faith in him though; we’re going to have an early spring,” said Kokas.