Beloved weather predicting groundhog dies just before its big moment in New Jersey

Groundhog Day festivities have been canceled in one New Jersey city after the star attraction turned up dead just before his big moment.

Milltown Mel’s death was revealed Sunday, Jan. 30 — just three days before he was expected to predict whether the end of winter is near.

Groundhog Day is Wednesday, Feb. 2.

“Milltown Mel recently crossed over the rainbow bridge,” officials wrote on the Milltown Mel Facebook page.

“Considering the average lifespan of a groundhog is about 3 years, that is not such a shock.”

A cause of death was not revealed.

Mel could be described as a distant cousin of the nation’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil of Pennsylvania, who is part of an internationally known Groundhog Day event dating to 1886.

Folklore has it if a groundhog sees its shadow on Feb. 2, it means six more weeks of winter, while no shadow means an early spring.

Milltown, New Jersey, began hosting Groundhog Day affairs about a decade ago, with the help of the local American Legion . The town is southwest of Newark.

Mel’s keepers, who identify themselves as “wranglers,” noted they considered replacing Mel for this year’s festivities, but it wasn’t possible given the short turnaround.

“Mel left us at a tough time of year when most of his fellow groundhogs are hibernating,” officials wrote.

“We will work hard on getting us a new weather prognosticator for next year, till then please check out what all of Mel’s cousins have to say on Feb 2.”

Mourners offered condolences on social media, including someone who referred to Mel as “one of New Jersey’s most powerful groundhogs.”

“What does it mean if the groundhog dies the day before Groundhog Day?” one woman wrote.

“Does this mean winter isn’t ending in New Jersey this year?” another asked.

This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 1:41 PM with the headline "Beloved weather predicting groundhog dies just before its big moment in New Jersey."