Defying Punxsutawney Phil, Mass. groundhog Ms. G predicts early spring

Groundhog Day is here, and with it comes a host of predictions from Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil to Massachusetts’ own official state groundhog, Ms. G.

The annual Massachusetts event was held on Thursday morning at the Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, and was live-streamed on the wildlife sanctuary’s Facebook page for those unable to attend in person to see Ms. G’s prognostication.

• Read more: Six more weeks of winter? Ms. G the state groundhog will let us know Feb. 2

As the folklore goes, should Ms. G see her shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter, Mass Audubon said. However, if she doesn’t, Bay Staters can look forward to an early spring.

At about 10:20 a.m., Ms. G emerged from her hibernation and made her “always accurate” prediction.

For 2023, Ms. G did not see her shadow, meaning there won’t be six more weeks of winter and Massachusetts residents can anticipate an early spring.

Gov. Maura Healey, who was in attendance for the event, declared the determination of Ms. G’s prediction to the crowd assembled.

Ms. G’s 2023 prediction was her 16th forecast and her ninth as the official state groundhog, said Renata Pomponi, the Mass Audubon senior director for Metro Boston, at the event.

Over in Pennsylvania, the famous Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, differing from Ms. G — meaning per tradition that people can expect six more weeks of winter.

Last year, Ms. G also diverged from the forecast given by Punxsutawney Phil, indicating that an early spring was in order for 2022.

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Ms. G became the state’s official groundhog back in 2014, when then-Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill submitted by students from Hunnewell Elementary School in Wellesley, enacting Ms. G’s status into law, Mass Audubon said.

In addition to the governor, other notable guests to the event included Mass Audubon President David J. O’Neill and State Sen. Michael Barrett — a leading advocate for renewable energy and addressing climate change — according to Mass Audubon.

“The story of Ms. G is a wonderful example of coming together to advocate for positive change in our communities and in our world,” Pomponi said in a statement from Mass Audubon.

“As we face the dual environmental challenges of climate change and the loss of biodiversity, this event is not only a chance for a fun mid-winter celebration, but also an opportunity for us all to commit to protecting wildlife habitat and access to nature across the state,” Pomponi added.