‘Essex Ed’ Has Seen His Last Groundhog Day At Turtle Back Zoo

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The furry weather prognosticator known as “Essex Ed” has seen his last Groundhog Day at the Turtle Back Zoo, officials say.

The zoo’s longtime weather-predicting groundhog, Essex Ed, will be passing along his prognostication duties to his younger cousin, Essex Edwina, at this year’s Groundhog Day event at the zoo on Wednesday.

According to the myth, if a groundhog sees his shadow on Feb. 2, the winter chill will continue. If the weather is cloudy and he doesn’t see his shadow, people can expect warmer temperatures and early spring.

Essex County typically adds a twist to the annual tradition, asking the resident groundhog at the zoo to predict a winner of the Super Bowl, too.

The event will be livestreamed at the county executive’s Facebook page, officials said.

• See related article: No Shadow For 'Essex Ed' On Groundhog Day 2021 (Video)
• See related article: Essex Ed Sees Shadow, Fumbles 2020 Super Bowl Pick

Essex Ed’s retirement from weather duties comes on the heels of the sad death of Milltown Mel, who crossed over the rainbow bridge just a day before the holiday. Read More: NJ's Milltown Mel Dies Before Groundhog Day, Event Now Canceled

Watch a video of Ed's 2021 prediction below.

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