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Staten Island Chuck is currently on a roll.
The “weatherhog” of New York City did not see his shadow early Thursday morning during the annual Groundhog Day ritual at the Staten Island Zoo, indicating that spring will soon arrive.
According to tradition, if Chuck had seen his shadow, New York City would have experienced six additional weeks of winter.
While the ceremony in West Brighton was closed to the public, Susan Wagner High School students who will be following Chuck’s prediction cheered on the fat prophet.
The little crowd exploded in applause when Chuck appeared.
A witness remarked, “I don’t see a shadow.”
Others can be heard shouting “No shadow!” from a Facebook broadcast of the event.
Chuck’s forecasts are 80% accurate, according to the president of the zoo’s board of trustees, William Frew, whereas Chuck’s colleague Punxsutawney Phil, who has a 39% accuracy rate, saw his shadow early Thursday morning.
Mayor Eric Adams did not attend the ceremony, unlike his predecessor, Bill de Blasio, who stopped attending after he infamously fired Chuck’s 10-month-old stand-in Charlotte in 2014.
Charlotte fell over six feet and died a week later from severe internal injuries.
Adams delivered a prerecorded message to the throng from the safety of City Hall to play it safe.
»On Groundhog Day 2023, did Chuck from Staten Island see his shadow?«