As both Staten Island Chuck and Punxsutawney Phil got ready to deliver their long-term weather forecasts, Broadway Star Andy Karl and I waited with bated breath.

I asked Andy how he'd be celebrating this important holiday this year.

"This year I'm going to be celebrating inside where it's safe but checking in on Zoom with my friends and family," said Karl.


What You Need To Know

  • Andy Karl who starred in 'Groundhog Day The Musical' on Broadway reminded us it's important to pay attention or risk repeating the day over and over again

  • As Punxsutawney Phil and his handlers gathered in the snow in Pennsylvania, Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter

  • On Staten Island, in a recorded ceremony at the Staten Island Zoo, Chuck and his handlers offered a brighter forecast that spring is on its way

  • German immigrants brought the tradition to Pennsylvania in the late 1880's and it has grown in popularity since

That was a good call, as many of the events went virtual this year for safety. Still, this was going to be a nail biter. If the groundhog sees a shadow, it's six more weeks of winter. But we all know from the film with Bill Murray and the Broadway musical starring Andy, what can happen if you mess with Groundhog Day. You're doomed to repeat the day over and over and even if you love the snow, you don't want that.

“We should definitely listen to the groundhog. From Staten Island to Punxsutawney, because we all know what can happen when we test his powers. I know as someone who's lived it hundreds and hundreds of times. So you should trust that woodchuck," said Karl.

This tradition was brought to Pennsylvania by German immigrants in the late 1800's and has grown in popularity over the years.

It’s a bit of a split decision for this year.

First, Pennsylvania's Pux and his handlers delivered this prediction: "six more weeks of winter."

"It's gonna be long and it's gonna be cold," lamented Karl.

But then, good ole Chuck brought it home with a fantastic forecast of an early spring.

Karl was elated as he yelled out "go groundhog!"

For the record, Chuck's prognostication was pre-recorded, before the snowstorm. The Staten Island Zoo says its groundhogs have the better record, with an 85% prediction rate.

So, hopefully warm weather is not too far off. It’s something to think about as we're clearing away all this snow.