Filbert the beaver, aka Stumptown Fil, predicts six more weeks of winter for Portland at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Ore., on Feb. 2, 2025.
Courtesy of the Oregon Zoo
For Portland residents who have been enduring the cold temperatures throughout January, it appears the chill will persist into February, according to the latest furcast from the Oregon Zoo.
On Sunday, Groundhog Day, Filbert the beaver — aka Stumptown Fil — offered his weather prediction: six more weeks of winter.
Groundhog Day, observed annually on Feb. 2, follows the tradition of a groundhog emerging from its burrow. If it sees its shadow, it retreats and predicts six additional weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, an early spring is expected.
Since groundhogs are not native to Oregon, the Oregon Zoo has selected Filbert, the beaver, as its official weather forecaster every Feb. 2 since 2020.
This year, Filbert was joined by Blaze the Trail Cat and Douglas Fur, mascots of the Portland Trail Blazers, for the occasion. Together, they watched as Filbert selected one of two paper scrolls placed on a log podium, with the scroll reading “six more weeks of winter.”
Filbert’s keeper, Christina Parr, said while the beaver isn’t a professional meteorologist, his predictions are surprisingly accurate.
“Last year, Filbert predicted an early spring, and we didn’t get any snow the rest of the season,” Parr said. “He may not be a professional, but he’s right about half the time.”
Filbert’s prediction this year aligns with that of Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania, whose forecast also called for six more weeks of winter.
After making his forecast, Filbert received a fitting reward for his efforts — carrots, courtesy of Blaze the Trail Cat and Douglas Fur.