Hamptons Groundhog Allen McButterpants Makes Groundhog Day Prediction

Allen McButterpants, the chief weather forecaster at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in Hampton Bays, did not see his shadow, which means springlike weather will arrive before the vernal equinox on March 19, according to lore.

“Spring is coming early,” his handler, Tammy Flanell, the center’s education caretaker, said as bundled-up Groundhog Day revelers applauded in approval in the 40-degree weather Friday. “Thank you Allen for bringing a sign of early spring once again!”

Allen was the first of two Hamptons groundhogs that will be making their seasonal weather forecast on February 2. The other, Sam Champion — so named for the TV meteorologist — made the same prediction Friday at the Quogue Library.

Allen’s prognostication was the same as last year. He agreed with Long Island’s other up-island groundhogs, Holtsville Hal, Malverne Mel and Huntington’s Niblet, as well as national groundhog in chief Punxsutawney Phil, Staten Island Chuck, Dunkirk Dave and Connecticut’s Chuckles. Sam Champion had forecast more wintry weather last year.