Did The Beast See Its Shadow?

If you're really interested in whether the tri-state area will see a longer winter or early spring, you can't rely on the predictions of Punxsutawney Phil, the furry rodent from Pennsylvania, or even the lesser known Staten Island Chuck.

Instead, all eyes in Cincinnati and southwest Ohio turn to The Beast, the world's longest wooden roller coaster.

And southwest Ohio has reason to be happy this morning. It won’t be long until residents can trade their winter boots for flip-flops. This morning The Beast emerged from its winter slumber at 7:43 a.m. and did not see its shadow which, according to legend, means that an early spring is on the way.

For those unfamiliar with the tradition, if The Beast sees its shadow on February 2 it means six more weeks of winter. If The Beast does not see its shadow, an early spring is predicted.  The world’s longest wooden roller coaster has prognosticated a longer winter just six times.

Year-by-Year Predictions

• 2025 – Early Spring

• 2024 – Early Spring

• 2023 – Longer Winter

• 2022 – Early Spring

• 2021 – Longer Winter

• 2020 – Early Spring

• 2019 – Early Spring

• 2018 – Early Spring

• 2017 – Early Spring

• 2016 – Early Spring

• 2015 – Longer Winter

• 2014 – Longer Winter

• 2013 – Early Spring

• 2012 – Longer Winter

• 2011 – Early Spring

• 2010 – Early Spring

• 2009 – Longer Winter

• 2008 – Early Spring

It won't be long until April 19, when Kings Island opens its gates to all guests for the first time in 2025.