Groundhog Essex Edwina predicts early spring at her big debut

Punxsutawney Phil is not the only special groundhog predicting the weather on Groundhog's Day. His cousin, Essex Edwina, made her debut at the Turtle Back Zoo on Wednesday.

News 12 Staff

Feb 2, 2022, 10:16 AM

Updated 905 days ago

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Punxsutawney Phil is not the only special groundhog predicting the weather on Groundhog's Day. His cousin, Essex Edwina, made her debut at the Turtle Back Zoo on Wednesday.
While Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, Edwina was a bit more optimistic and says spring will arrive early.
"Early spring is in the forecast under this ice, so let’s look forward not back. That’s my 2022 advice," Edwina said.
She said Pennsylvania groundhogs don’t have a clue when it comes to predicting the weather.  
Of course, she may have been feeling some political pressure after taking over for her cousin, Essex Ed, who they say was part of the Great Resignation and has since retired.   
“If she doesn’t do the right thing today, she will be joining Essex Ed in Boca Raton,” says Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo.  
Just like her cousin Ed, she also made a prediction for who will win the Super Bowl this year and she predicts the Rams will secure the win.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Edwina predicted six more weeks of winter.


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