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Will we see spring or more winter? Local groundhog decides our fate.

Local groundhog, Smith Lake Jake decided at Burritt on the Mountain whether we will see an early Spring or 6 more weeks of Winter!

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The American tradition, also known as Groundhog Day, first took place back in 1887, on February 2, 1887, to be exact. The premise of this light-hearted holiday is that a groundhog decides whether we will see spring come early or endure 6 more weeks of winter.

If the said groundhog sees their shadow, we are doomed with 6 more weeks of colder weather and if the little fella does not see his shadow- spring here we come!

Today at Burritt on the Mountain, local groundhog, Smith Lake Jake made his prediction for 2022... and Jake predicted... that we will in fact see 6 more weeks of winter!

After the City of Huntsville's Mayor, Tommy Battle translated Jake's prediction to the crowd there was a sigh of disappointment but this news was quickly forgotten in the wake of Jake's cuteness and the fantastic weather going on.

RELATED: Pend Oreille Prairie Dogs predict spring will come early this year

Here's what some of the folks at the celebration and Jake himself had to say about his prediction:

"Don't put up your sleds, don't hang up your heavy coat yet... six more weeks and then we'll have spring, looking forward to it," said Mayor Tommy Battle.

"I actually like winter, so I'm a little excited about it," said CEO of Burritt Museum and Park, Leslie Ecklund.

"Well, I'm not liking it too much but Jake says he don't care cuz he's a house groundhog," said Jake's Mom, Ginger Whitworth. 

This American tradition will be celebrated nationally on the second day of February as well. 

Thank you Jake for all of your hard work!

RELATED: What did the groundhog predict for 2021?

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