Groundhog Day 2021: What times are Punxsutawney Phil, Staten Island Chuck and N.J. groundhogs checking for their shadows?
Updated Feb 02, 2021;
It’s time for Punxsutawney Phil and other prognosticating groundhogs to emerge from their burrows for Groundhog Day 2021 and check whether they see their shadows.
The rodents’ answers will tell us how long winter will last, and this year, the quirky tradition coincides with a massive snowstorm that is expected to drop up to 24 inches of snow in parts of New Jersey.
But is an early spring on the horizon? Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil and his imitators, including Staten Island Chuck, Essex Ed and Milltown Mel, will make their calls on Tuesday.
February 2, 2021
West Orange, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that Essex Ed, the resident groundhog at Turtle Back Zoo, made his annual weather prophecy on Tuesday, February 2nd. Essex Ed did not see his shadow which means spring weather is expected to come six weeks early (here’s hoping!). In addition, Essex Ed also picked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win Super Bowl LV.
“Essex Ed and I don’t always agree with the weather prediction, but this year I like his forecast of an early spring,” DiVincenzo said. ““It may be cold outside, but it’s still a great time to come out and Experience Essex, and our wonderful Turtle Back Zoo and South Mountain Recreation Complex.”