New York City’s most famous groundhog, Staten Island Chuck, yesterday predicted an early spring.

And, in Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil made the same optimistic call.

Of course, there’s a naysayer in every crowd. On Long Island, Holtsville Hal said there will be six more weeks of winter.

Staten Island Chuck braved the remnants of the ice storm yesterday to perform his duties. Mayor Bloomberg, helped the groundhog, whose formal name is Charles G. Hogg.

According to tradition, if the groundhog, emerging from its burrow, sees its shadow, winter could last six more weeks.