Did Phil see his shadow? Will there be an early spring? The answer has been revealed! punxsutawney phil was once again under the spotlight this week as the world famous groundhog made his annual fearless weather prediction. No pressure Phil, everyone in the country just wants to know if spring is coming early, or are we in for six more weeks of winter?

How Phil determines the weather

When it comes to determining if the United States is in for an early spring or headed for six more weeks of winter, it takes a very specific and scientific approach that only Punxsutawney Phil knows.

Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but hanging out at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, PA and watching the annual event unfold in person would be something spectacular to do at least once in your life.

While Phil makes his prediction every year on the second of February, the celebration actually begins days before with events that include the annual Groundhog Day banquet, hayrides, live concerts and much more. Of course, the nearly week-long celebration leads up to the main event, Phil's weather prediction.

According to Groundhog.org, all of the action came to a head at approximately 7:25 a.m. this morning when Phil was summoned from his burrow to make his weather prediction for the remainder of winter.

So how do you know what to look for if you are hoping for an early spring?

Legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If the little groundhog does not see his shadow, spring will be arriving early - and of course, Phil is never wrong.

The history

Friday's prediction was the 132nd from Phil, who surprisingly doesn't look a day over five.

So how did all of this groundhog hoopla get started? History.com indicates that it all began back in 1887 when a newspaper editor belonging to a group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney, called the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, declared that Phil was America’s only true weather-forecasting groundhog. That may not have sat well with other groundhog hunters in the area, but nevertheless, it was the start of a yearly tradition that has grown more popular each year.

Over the past 100-plus years the legend of Phil has grown, and so has his fame.

From a trip to Washington DC in 1986 to meet with President Reagan, to being the focus of the smash 1993 movie "Groundhog Day," to an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show in 1995, Phil has become a legend. Now on to his 2018 decision.

The Verdict

The results for Phil's 2018 spring weather forecast have just come in and drum roll please....the official word from Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinaire, is that we have six more weeks of winter to go! Phil has seen his shadow, and winter is sticking around for at least six more weeks.
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