Monmouth County Groundhog Predicts 6 More Weeks Of Winter

HOWELL, NJ - After consistent frigid weather in January and a recent unyielding winter storm, Monmouth County residents may not want to hear this prediction.

While Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil came out of hibernation on Feb. 2 to make his annual announcement (which occurred virtually this year), a New Jersey groundhog made his own declaration in Monmouth County, according to the county sheriff’s office.

According to the Groundhog Day tradition, winter will last for six more weeks if a groundhog sees his shadow. If he doesn’t, then spring weather will come sooner than expected.

“The MCSONJ’s resident groundhog Deputy Sheriff Monmouth Max also saw his shadow,” the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Groundhog Day statement.

“After concurring with his buddy Phil, [Max] agrees we are going to have six more weeks [of] winter.”

And while the news may come as a disappointment for those who are shoveling more than 10 inches of snow in areas such as Keyport (12 inches), Holmdel (13.5 inches) and Union Beach (16 inches), others may be excited to suit up and play in one of Monmouth County’s many parks for sledding, snow tubing and cross-country skiing. Read more: All Monmouth County Parks Are Open Monday

Here are the Monmouth County town-by-town snow totals from the latest winter storm:

• Union Beach 16.0 in
• Holmdel 13.5 in
• Keyport 12.0 in
• Colts Neck 11.5 in
• Cliffwood 11.0 in
• Manalapan Twp 9.8 in
• Eatontown 8.7 in
• Howell 7.9 in
• Freehold Twp 7.7 in
• Deal 6.5 in

Read more: Who Got The Most Snow? NJ Town-By-Town Nor'easter Snow Totals