STATEN ISLAND (WPIX)—
New Yorkers can expect an early spring, according to groundhog Staten Island Chuck.Local politicians, including Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, were with Chuck -- formally known as Charles G. Hogg -- in a special ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Staten Island Zoo when he made his prediction to thunderous applause.
German tradition holds that if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on Feb. 2 - the Christian holiday of Candlemas - winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early.
But Chuck's fellow groundhog meteorologists -- Malverne Mel in Long Island and Puxsutawney Phil in Pennslyvania -- gave contrary forecasts.
Both Mel and Phil both saw their shadows and said there will be six more weeks of winter.
The Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club has been keeping track of Phil's prediction since 1887.
John Caltabiano, executive director of the Staten Island Zoo, dismisses the other predictions and told PIX News that Staten Island Chuck has given the correct forecast 22 out of 29 times.
In 2009, Staten Island Chuck also said there would be an early spring during the infamous ceremony in which he bit the Mayor Bloomberg's finger.
Some information supplemented by The Associated Press.
