It's Groundhog Day once again and Staten Island Chuck, New York City's very own groundhog prognosticator, is predicting an early spring.

Chuck's prediction of an early spring puts him at odds with Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania, who predicts six more weeks of winter. Phil may be the groundhog that gets the national spotlight, but weather analysts say historically, Chuck's predictions have been more accurate over the years.

The temperatures were below freezing the morning of Groundhog Day at the Staten Island Zoo. And yet, according to Staten Island’s furry forecaster, there’s a warmup on the way.

On Sunday, Chuck did not see his shadow, which means an early spring. If the furball sees his shadow – according to legend – that would have meant six more weeks of winter. After the big reveal, cheers from the crowd, which included community members young and old, teachers, students, and elected officials.

Staten Islander Ashlee Gervasi says this is the second time she’s come to the Staten Island Zoo to witness the ritual.

“I love animals, I’m also a meteorology student at Rutgers, so I know meteorologists, they get a little upset, 'how do we let a groundhog predict the weather?'” she said. “I’m here to say, it’s fair for both, he has an 80% success rate so he’s doing something right.”

Some zoo-goers were first-timers to the Groundhog Day ceremony.

“I’m very excited,” said Alexander Angelis, who admits he didn’t know the tradition that goes with Groundhog Day until now. “I never knew what it was.”

Many onlookers were pulling for Chuck to predict warmer weather.

“I’ll try to take his word for it because I’m trying to be optimistic about early spring,” said Gervasi.

Angelis was also hopeful, adding “I feel like we’re gonna see warmer temperatures.”