Groundhog Day: Malverne Mel, Holtsville Hal agree it’s six more weeks of winter

Surrounded by frozen piles of snow and amid biting cold, Long Island’s furry forecaster, Malverne Mel, gave out a croak and revealed he had “seen” his shadow, meaning Long Island was in for six more weeks of winter.

Mel, who is a groundhog, made his annual “prediction” at the gazebo near the Malvern LIRR train station Monday as a crowd bundled up in layers cheered on the rotund rodent, his handler and a bevy of local officials. The crowd then booed his frigid forecast.

The prognostication was made in temperatures hovering around 15 with northwest winds of 12 mph and a wind chill of zero degrees.

Meanwhile in Suffolk, the Holtsville Zoo may be closed, but it’s most famous resident, the groundhog Holtsville Hal, made his spring prediction in a prerecorded online appearance on the Brookhaven Town website.

Unfortunately, Hal also “saw” his shadow and retreated to his den, foretelling another six weeks of winter.

Some 350 miles from Malverne, another famous groundhog was making predictions. Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil reportedly “saw” his shadow at his home at Gobbler’s Knob, agreeing with his fellow forecasters on Long island. 

Check back for updates on this developing story.