Residents won’t have their yearly prediction today (Wednesday) — at least from groundhog Milltown Mel. The famous groundhog weather predictor in Milltown, NJ, passed away suddenly just before Groundhog Day. Officials broke the news in a statement saying Mel “crossed over the rainbow bridge” and they were unable to find a replacement rodent for today’s festivities.
The longest-running Groundhog Day tradition in the U.S. centers around Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania (who at last check is alive and well). Legend has it if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; No shadow = spring comes early.
