What happened to Mel the groundhog?

Milltown Mel, one of New Jersey's weather-predicting groundhogs, died Sunday — just days before the big annual ceremony. His death was announced on the groundhog's official Facebook page.

How did the groundhog died?

Fans of Groundhog Day will be happy to know that its shining star, Punxsutawney Phil, has not died in 2022. Indeed, the famous animal emerged from his burrow on Feb. 2, 2022, and saw his shadow, predicting another extra six weeks of winter.

How long was Milltown Mel alive?

“We tried everywhere to get a stand-in, but to no avail!” Mel has made seasonal predictions for the past six years, CentralJersey.com reported. His predecessor, also named Milltown Mel, died in 2015. This is not the first time a New Jersey groundhog has “crossed over the rainbow bridge” close to Groundhog Day.

Is Punxsutawney Phil still alive?

How about a Wabbit? CORRECTION: Punxsutawney Phil is alive and well! The groundhog that died was the New Jersey version, known as Milltown Mel. No one knows when he slumbered off, but it was during his hibernation phase.

Did the old groundhog died?

The Mel who passed away on Sunday was actually Mel 2.0, having replaced the OG Mel in 2015. Although he succumbed before he could deliver his seventh forecast “considering the average lifespan of a Groundhog is about 3 years, that is not such a shock,” his handlers posted.

NJ’s weather predictor Milltown Mel dies just before Groundhog Day | New York Post

Did Milltown Mel see his shadow?

Last year, Milltown Mel did not see his shadow, and predicted an early spring. While Punxsutawney Phil is a more famous groundhog, Milltown Mel's handlers claim they have had a better record of predicting when spring will come. Incase you missed the coverage of me last night, here it is.

Who is Milltown Mel?

Milltown Mel, one of New Jersey's weather-predicting groundhogs, died Sunday — just days before the big annual ceremony. His death was announced on the groundhog's official Facebook page. It wasn't immediately clear how the groundhog died.

How many Punxsutawney Phil's were there?

How many "Phils" have there been over the years? There has only been one Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions since 1886! Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking the "elixir of life," a secret recipe.

How Old Is Phil Punxsutawney?

HOW OLD IS PHIL? According to Groundhog Club members, there has only been one Phil — and he has been predicting since 1887. That makes him 135 years old! The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club was established in 1887 by a group of groundhog hunters.

Is Punxsutawney Phil a girl?

The most famous groundhog in “the business” is Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania. He's supposedly male, but he's also supposedly been around since the 19th century.

Where does Punxsutawney Phil live during the year?

According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club website, Phil lives in a manmade burrow at a roadside zoo located in Punxsutawney. His burrow has a viewing window, meaning the public can stop by and observe him every day of the year. He lives there with his wife, Phyliss.

How accurate is Groundhog Day?

Data from the Stormfax Almanac's data shows that Phil's six-week prognostications have been correct about 39% of the time.

What is the average life expectancy of a groundhog?

Lifespan: In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years with two or three being average. In captivity, groundhogs reportedly live up to 14 years.

Who is the most accurate groundhog?

The most accurate of all rodent prognosticators - General Beauregard Lee, widely considered the "Punxsutawney Phil of the South". Lee holds a 63% accuracy rating nationally, with a 70-80% accuracy rating for certain regions of the United States.

Did the groundhog died 2021?

New Jersey's beloved weather-predicting groundhog — Milltown Mel — has died. The animal prognosticator passed away on Sunday, days before he was supposed to make his annual Groundhog Day appearance on Feb. 2. On Sunday, the groundhog's official Facebook page confirmed Milltown Mel's death.

What did Staten Island Chuck predict?

WEST BRIGHTON, Staten Island (WABC) -- Staten Island Chuck did not see his shadow this Groundhog Day and says we will have an early spring. His prediction was the opposite of Punxsutawney Phil who did see his shadow and prognosticated six more weeks of winter.

Who is the handler of Punxsutawney Phil?

Groundhog handler AJ Derume holds Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow, predicting a late spring during the 136th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Feb. 2, 2022 in Punxsutawney, Pa. Groundhog Day is a popular tradition in the United States and Canada.

How old is the current Punxsutawney Phil 2022?

Legend says Punxsutawney Phil is 135 years old

He has been predicting the weather since 1887, which makes him 135 years old in 2022. Legend credits his longevity to drinking “the elixir of life,” prepared using a secret recipe that is reportedly only known to club members.

How many times has the groundhog see his shadow?

Over the 136-year tradition, it is the 107th time Phil has seen his shadow, members said.

How many groundhogs have been used as Punxsutawney Phil?

Deeley declined to share how many groundhog Phil's there have been, but the average groundhog living in captivity can live up to 10 years, according to the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology. That means that if each Punxsutawney Phil lived a decade, there have been about 13 groundhogs.

What happens if Phil sees his shadow?

Though Phil has no meteorology degree, every year on February 2, the United States tunes in for his prediction. Legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter and if he doesn't, spring will arrive sooner. In 2021 the groundhog did see his shadow, calling for six more weeks of cold.

What is the groundhogs name 2022?

Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow on Groundhog Day 2022

On Feb. 2, 2022, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his tree stump with the help of his inner circle and saw his shadow -- predicting six more weeks of winter -- during a ceremony in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa.

Where is Milltown Mel?

Mel died just before Groundhog Day, leaving his community in central New Jersey "at a tough time of year, when most of his fellow groundhogs are hibernating." In a Facebook post, the wranglers said no baby groundhogs will be available to replace Mel until the spring, so Milltown will do without one this year.

How long has Milltown Mel been the groundhog?

The tradition of Milltown Mel was started by Jerry and Kathy Guthlein and has continued for 10 years. On February 2 of every year, Milltown Mel predicts whether we will see an end to winter or another six weeks of cold weather.

Where did Milltown Mel live?

MILLTOWN, New Jersey (WABC) -- One of New Jersey's most beloved weather predicting groundhogs is dead, just days before Groundhog Day. According to a post on Milltown Mel's Facebook page, he passed away suddenly.