Will spring come early in New Jersey?
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.