Groundhog Day 2021: What times are Punxsutawney Phil, Staten Island Chuck and N.J. groundhogs checking for their shadows?

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.

Folklore states that if the groundhogs see their shadows on Groundhog Day, there will be another six weeks of winter. If they don’t see their shadows, spring will arrive early.

Here’s the rundown on several well-known groundhogs in our region and what time they’ll be looking for their shadows. All Groundhog Day events are virtual this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

When will Punxsutawney Phil look for this shadow?

The annual Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania kicks off at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, but with no in-person attendance.

Normally, Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney is a festival filled with a bonfire, dancing and fireworks. But the event is virtual this year due to the pandemic and will be live-streamed online.

You can watch Phil emerge from hibernation here.

When will Staten Island Chuck look for his shadow?

The annual Groundhog Day ceremony at the Staten Island Zoo is scheduled to take place Tuesday. The zoo will stream its Groundhog Day event on Facebook Live beginning at 7:45 a.m. and Chuck will emerge from his burrow at 8 a.m.

No visitors will not be allowed to attend the event due to the pandemic.

“We are sure that Chuck’s legion of fans will understand this is the right thing to do,” Ken Mitchell, executive director of the Staten Island Zoo, said in a release last month. “We want people to watch Chuck from the safety of their homes and offices. Let’s all hope Chuck predicts an ‘early Spring’ — we sure can use it!”

New Jersey’s groundhogs

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Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo2@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo.

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