Weather Worries Cancel Groundhog Day In Malverne
MALVERNE, N.Y.(1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- For the first time in 15 years Groundhog Day has been cancelled in a Long Island town.
Podcast
1010 WINS' Mona Rivera with Mayor Patricia McDonald
Malverne Mel will not be able to come out and predict the weather Wednesday because of the latest winter storm.
1010 WINS' Mona Rivera spoke with Mayor Patricia McDonald who said the village had a meeting before making the decision to cancel the event.
"If we are going to be getting the ice that they're predicting you don't want people coming out, you don't want anybody getting hurt, especially our groundhog here," McDonald said.
According to tradition, if the groundhog sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter weather and if he does not there will be an early spring.
Malverne Civic Association President Peter Robideau says Mel not making an appearance could be a good thing. "He's definitely not seeing his shadow so we're definitely alright," he said.
Podcast
WCBS 880 Reporter Marla Diamond talks with Malverne Civic Association President about the cancelling Groundhog Day
So let's hope Holtsville Hal in Suffolk County and Staten Island Chuck bring New York some good news.
For winter-weary residents spring could not come soon enough as one storm after another has clobbered the Tri-State area since a post-Christmas blizzard that paralyzed much of the East Coast.
Storm warnings and advisories are in effect until Wednesday evening as the latest storm promises to bring sleet and freezing rain to the area making for a slippery and dangerous commute.
