Malverne Mel, Holtsville Hal agree in 2025 Groundhog Day forecast

Malverne Mel and Holtsville Hal agreed with one another’s seasonal prognostication for the second Groundhog Day in a row early Sunday morning.

Both groundhogs saw their shadows, which means there will be six more weeks of wintry weather before spring arrives with the vernal equinox in six weeks, according to groundhog lore.

“Upon looking for his shadow, it surely could be seen, so I must now announce that to skiers delight, there will be six more weeks of winter,” Malverne Village Mayor Timothy Sullivan told the crowd, who groaned in response to the news.

Dan Losquadro, the Town of Brookhaven highway superintendent, read Holtsville Hal’s prediction in a Facebook video since the usual live event at the Holtsville Wildlife & Ecology Center was canceled this year.

“I stepped out of my burrow just as the sun began to rise and let me tell you I was in for a surprise,” he said. “Hovering over me was a shadow quite big. I scurried back to my borrow and started to dig. And so, my friends I can confirm for you, six more weeks of winter you can all look forward to.”

The predictions were in agreement with Punxsutawney Phil, the nation’s most famous groundhog, who also saw his shadow, according to his handlers. So did groundhogs named Sam Champion and Al Roker during an event at the Quogue Library.

Malverne Mel‘s event was held despite animal rights activists calling for the village to replace the live groundhog with a person in a groundhog suit, like the Village of Babylon started doing in recent years. Babylon Belle did not see her shadow for the second year in a row, signaling that spring-like weather will arrive early.

In Hampton Bays, Allen McButterpants also did not see his shadow at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Center. Neither did Niblet at the Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown.

Spring arrives March 20.