LI groundhogs make annual appearances to forecast the weather

Will there be more wintery weather or an early spring?

If you’re day-dreaming of spring, like I am, let’s hope our local groundhogs don’t see their shadows in celebration of Groundhog Day. Otherwise, just as they would go back into their burrows for six more weeks of winter, we would head back beneath layers of blankets to keep the chill away.

To get in on the weather-predicting amusement, look for the island’s famed Holtsville Hal and Malverne Mel to come out with their forecasts, on Feb. 2.

Holtsville Hal. At 7 a.m. sharp, groundhog Hal will be awoken from his hibernation to predict the seasonal changes. Come see Hal at the Holtsville Ecology Center, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville. 631-758-9664, ext. 11. holtsvillehal.org.

Malverne Mel. Nassau County’s prognosticator, Mel, will come out from his burrow to make his prediction, at 7 a.m., at the gazebo on Church Street (near the train station) in Malverne. However, there will be plenty of hoopla surrounding his appearance, from music by the Banjo Rascals and a petting zoo to a poster contest and a photo opportunity with Mel, himself. 516-599-1200, ext. 115. malvernevillage.org.

For an earlier forecast, check in on Sweetbriar Sam in Smithtown this Sunday, on Jan. 29.

Sweetbriar Sam. Find out if Sweetbriar Sam is planning to “hit snooze” and hibernate for another six weeks, at 1 p.m., at Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown. But the excitement doesn’t stop with Sam, as Sweetbriar offers attractions like a scavenger hunt to learn a bit about groundhogs, as well as the opportunity to meet its other animal hibernators and weather predictors. Plus, you can make a groundhog craft. 631-979-6344. sweetbriarnc.org.

Now, if you go to one of these events, keep your fingers crossed for no shadows in our future!