Freddie made his 45th annual weather prediction during a Groundhog Day celebration at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in Upshur County this week.

The famous groundhog came out of hibernation Wednesday to provide his annual forecast to a large crowd. The 2021 Groundhog Day event was held privately due to COVID-19 precautions.

“Freddie was happy he could celebrate his special day with friends this year and is ready to nestle back in his burrow for a few more weeks of winter,” Trevor Moore, wildlife biologist for the West Virginia State Wildlife Center, said. “When spring arrives, Freddie hopes everyone will come back and visit him and enjoy a day at the Wildlife Center.”

“According to tradition, six more weeks of winter can be expected if skies are clear and a groundhog returns to its burrow after getting spooked by seeing its shadow,” a state Wildlife Center press release states. “If skies are cloudy and a groundhog doesn’t see its shadow, an early spring can be expected.”

A large crowd turned out this week to see French Creek Freddie’s prognostication.

In the past 40 years, Freddie’s forecasts have been accurate 50 percent of the time, officials said. Freddie predicted an early spring in each of the last three years.

The event featured live music performed by the French Creek Elementary School Choir, free hot chocolate and cookies, special activities and opportunities to tour the Wildlife Center, along with the facility’s ninth annual Woodchuckin’ Contest.

The West Virginia Wildlife Center in Upshur County is home to French Creek Freddie and nearly 30 different species of West Virginia mammals, birds and reptiles. The center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week through the end of March. Admission is free during this period.

To learn more about the Wildlife Center and for directions, visit wvdnr.gov/west-virginia-wildlife-center.

French Creek Freddie made his 45th annual weather prediction at the West Virginia Wildlife Center this week.