Punxsutawney Phil is said to have seen his shadow, forecasting 6 more weeks of wintry weather

"Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of wintry weather Monday, a forecast sure to disappoint many after what's already been a long, cold season across large parts of the United States. His annual prediction and announcement that he had seen his shadow was translated by his handlers in the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club at Gobbler's Knob in western Pennsylvania. RELATED: Is the Bay Area home to any weather-forecasting groundhogs?"

"The extreme cold kept the crowd bundled up and helped keep people on the main stage dancing. Usually guests can come up on stage and take pictures of Phil after his prediction, but this year the announcer said it was too cold for that and his handlers were afraid to keep him out too long. Instead, the audience was asked to come to the stage, turn around and do a selfie."

"The club says that when Phil is deemed to have not seen his shadow, that means there will be an early spring. When he does see it, it's six more weeks of winter. Phil tends to predict a longer winter far more often than an early spring. The annual ritual goes back more than a century, with ties to ancient farming traditions in Europe. Punxsutawney's festivities have grown considerably since the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray."

Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter after his handlers said he had seen his shadow at Gobbler's Knob in western Pennsylvania. Tens of thousands of people braved single-digit temperatures, greeting the announcement with a mix of cheers and boos. Extreme cold limited Phil's time outside and prompted organizers to ask the audience to take selfies rather than come on stage. The ritual traces to European farming traditions and expanded after the 1993 film Groundhog Day. Other groundhogs across the U.S., Canada and beyond offered mixed forecasts; Michael Venos noted a split verdict, with General Beauregard Lee agreeing with Phil.

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