Groundhog Day is one of the most celebrated events in the world of weather prediction, and some Georgians may not know that The Peach State is home to its own furry forecaster — Gen. Beauregard Lee.
But how much do you really know about this plucky prognosticator? Here are eight surprising facts about Georgia’s famed and beloved groundhog general.
- What’s in a name?
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Gen. Beauregard Lee is named after a Confederate general. He was named after two Civil War Generals, Gen. Robert E. Lee and General P.G.T. Beauregard
- Second Fiddle?
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Gen. Beauregard Lee isn’t Georgia’s first groundhog. In fact, he isn’t even Georgia’s first groundhog named after Robert E. Lee.
From 1981 to 1991, the weather was predicted by another groundhog named Gen. Robert E. Lee. In 1991, the two shared the prognostication duties.
- A home fit for a Southern Gentleman
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He’s got a palatial digs. Gen. Lee lives in a luxurious mansion at Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson, complete with air conditioning and heating.
- What about that blizzard?
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Georgia’s furry forecaster was most definitely wrong about his prediction of an early spring in 1993. A rare blizzard hit the state in March of that year.
- Going into hiding
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He’s reportedly a master of disguise. Gen. Lee is said to be an expert at blending in with his surroundings and has been known to hide from visitors and photographers.
According to some sources, he does this when he knows he got his prediction wrong. Gen. Beauregard Lee, of course, is unavailable for comment on the issue.
- Scattered, Smothered, and Covered
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He loves Waffle House hashbrowns. Each year after he makes his prediction, he is treated to the patently Southern Delicacy.
- Paging Dr. Lee
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He’s got a PhD. That’s right — Gen. Lee holds a PhD in Groundhogology from the University of Georgia. Sorry, Tech fans. The groundhog’s a Dawg.
- He gets worldwide attention
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Gen. Lee has a loyal fan base. Fans of the Peach State Prognosticator come from all over the world to visit him and see his famous Groundhog Day prediction.
There you have it. Hopefully you learned a thing or two about Georgia’s own Groundhog. Now, we just have to wait and see what the General has to say about the arrival of spring.
