Lander Lil Ranked Among Top Groundhog Day Forecasters by NOAA
Wyoming’s beloved weather-predicting prairie dog, Lander Lil, has earned national recognition after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ranked her among the top three Groundhog Day prognosticators in the country, County 10 reports.
NOAA’s playful ranking evaluated 19 “groundhogs” and alternative weather predictors from across the US, requiring contenders to have been forecasting for at least 20 years and still active as of February 2, 2024. Lander Lil secured third place, trailing General Beauregard Lee from Georgia in second and Staten Island Chuck from New York in first. Special recognition was given to the iconic Punxsutawney Phil of Pennsylvania for his enduring celebrity status, though NOAA noted he wasn’t the most accurate forecaster.
Lander Lil has been a cherished figure in the Lander community since 1984, when she first appeared during the town’s Centennial celebrations. Her “forecasts” are eagerly anticipated each year, and in 2023, she reportedly signaled the hope for an early spring by donning a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses.
NOAA emphasized that this lighthearted tradition is meant for fun rather than reliable weather predictions, reminding readers to check the National Weather Service for accurate forecasts.
As Groundhog Day approaches, locals will once again look to Lander Lil for her annual meteorological “prediction,” adding a joyful twist to Wyoming’s winter season.
