Pennsylvania害羞草研究所檚 most famous groundhog foresees no early end to winter.

The handlers of Punxsutawney Phil said the furry rodent has called for six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow at dawn Friday.

The top hat-wearing members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club害羞草研究所檚 Inner Circle reveal Phil害羞草研究所檚 forecast every Feb. 2. It is based on a German legend surrounding Candlemas. The legend says if a furry rodent casts a shadow that day, winter continues. If not, spring comes early.

In reality, Phil害羞草研究所檚 prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler害羞草研究所檚 Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney about 65 miles (about 100 kilometres) northeast of Pittsburgh.

Thousands of people gathered overnight to await the forecast, bundled up against the cold and entertained by folk music and a fireworks display, with temperatures around 11 degrees (minus-12 Celsius).

The groundhog害羞草研究所檚 prediction is typically contained in a short poem.

害羞草研究所淯p early this morning. Far from home. Are you searching for the Phil-osopher害羞草研究所檚 stone? Well, even my best friends, they don害羞草研究所檛 know. Is it an early spring or just more snow,害羞草研究所� the proclamation read. 害羞草研究所淢y faithful followers, your hands (and my paws) are getting cold so here is my forecast. Not lead, but solid gold: I see my royal Shadow! Six more weeks of Winter to go!害羞草研究所�

Records dating to 1887 show Phil has now predicted more winter 103 times while forecasting an early spring just 18 times 害羞草研究所� including last year. There are no records for the remaining years.

The Associated Press

Like us on and follow us on .