Groundhog Day Prediction: Punxsutawney Phil Says Early Spring

Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this morning, predicting we'll be having an early spring this year.

The groundhog, a native of Pennsylvania, arose from his habitat in Gobbler's Knob this morning. "And so ye faithful, there is no shadow to see, an early Spring for you and me," announced Bob Roberts, one of Phil's handlers.

Groundhog Day is a tradition that has its roots in folklore. If groundhog Phil had seen his shadow, it would have indicated that we'd have six more weeks of wintery weather ahead of us.

Phil's hometown of Punxsutawney, Penn., has been the location of the Groundhog Day ceremony since the 1800s, according to The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Phil is from a long line of weather predicting groundhogs – his first ancestor taking up the charge in 1887. Since that year, Groundhog Day has indicated a prolonged winter 99 times, and an early spring only 16.

While Punxsutawney Phil might be the most famous groundhog, he's not the only. "Staten Island Chuck" and "General Beauregard Lee" in Atlanta are also set to be making predictions today.