Groundhog Day 2011: It's an early spring! Staten Island Chuck did not see his shadow

Groundhog Day 2011: Flanked by acting Staten Island Zoo
Director Ken Mitchell and general curator Peter Laline,
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg presents Staten
Island Chuck after the groundhog failed to see his shadow,
thereby predicting an early spring.
(Staten Island Advance/Irving Silverstein)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Emerging from his burrow on this gloomy Groundhog Day 2011, Staten Island Chuck, assisted by NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has forecast an early end to what has been an incredible winter.

According to folklore, if a groundhog sees its shadow on Groundhog Day, it will scurry back inside its burrow and winter will continue unabated for six more weeks.

If the groundhog does not see a shadow, winter will begin to recede and the next six weeks -- at which point spring arrives -- will be milder.

Chuck's Pennsylvania rival, Punxsutawney Phil, agrees with the