PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (1010 WINS) — Staten Island Chuck and Punxsutawney Phil disagreed on their Groundhog Day weather predictions on Wednesday.
Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter. Chuck didn't see his shadow and foresaw an early spring.
People gathered at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania, as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summoned him from his tree stump at dawn to learn if he had seen his shadow. The usual crowd of 10,000 to 15,000 visitors was in attendance after last year’s event was held virtually.
Three hundred miles away in New York, Chuck’s event was held without a crowd at the Staten Island Zoo.
According to folklore, there will be six more weeks of winter if the groundhogs see their shadows. If they don’t, spring comes early.
Chuck and Phil often disagree on their forecasts. Chuck has a better track record, with an accuracy rate of 80%. Phil has only been correct 39% of the time, according to the National Weather Service.
New Jersey’s Milltown Mel groundhog died days before the holiday, officials announced Sunday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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