PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - With parts of the U.S. socked in by snow, the world's most famous groundhog predicts spring is on the way. "The sky is here. Prepare yourself for spring," according to the prediction Punxsutawney Phil made through his handlers.
Punxsutawney Phil failed to see his shadow, signaling an early spring.
The forecasts are concocted by Phil's handlers, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle.
German tradition holds that if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on Feb. 2 -- the Christian holiday of Candlemas -- winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early.
Since 1887, Phil has seen his shadow 98 times and hasn't seen it 16 times, including this year. There are no records for the remaining years, though the group has never failed to issue a forecast.
