Groundhog Day 2018: Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow, six more weeks of winter

The famous groundhog spotted his shadow, forecasting six more weeks of winter.

ByABC News
February 2, 2018, 1:05 PM

— -- Bundle up! Punxsutawney Phil, the world-famous groundhog, emerged from his burrow in western Pennsylvania and saw his shadow Friday morning, predicting another six weeks of winter.

As the sun rose at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania, the groundhog's handlers -- known as the "Inner Circle" -- coaxed him out of his hole to issue his forecast just before 7:25 a.m. Eastern Time. Spectators, seemingly unfazed by the bitter cold, watched and danced to music as the handlers announced Phil's prediction.

PHOTO: Punxsutawney Phil, the prognosticating groundhog, saw his shadow, forecasting six more weeks of winter weather during the celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Penn., Feb. 2, 2018.
Punxsutawney Phil, the prognosticating groundhog, saw his shadow, forecasting six more weeks of winter weather during the celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Penn., Feb. 2, 2018.
PHOTO: Punxsutawney Phil, the prognosticating groundhog, saw his shadow during the celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Penn., Feb. 2, 2018.
Punxsutawney Phil, the prognosticating groundhog, saw his shadow during the celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Penn., Feb. 2, 2018. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his den. Early spring arrives if he does not see his shadow, causing Phil to remain above ground.

Since 1887, Phil has predicted more winter 104 times, including this year. He has forecast an early spring just 18 times, when his shadow has eluded him, according to records.

Ten years of Phil's predictions are missing from the record.

PHOTO: Groundhog Club co-handler John Grifiths (R) holds Punsxutawney Phil the weather prognosticating groundhog as groundhog club vice president Jeff Lundy (L) reads his prediction during the Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Penn., Feb 2, 2018.
Groundhog Club co-handler John Grifiths (R) holds Punsxutawney Phil the weather prognosticating groundhog as groundhog club vice president Jeff Lundy (L) reads his prediction during the Groundhog Day celebration at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Penn., Feb 2, 2018. Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter.
PHOTO: Punxsutawney Phil is held up by his handler for the crowd to see during the ceremonies for Groundhog day on Feb. 2, 2018, in Punxsutawney, Penn.
Punxsutawney Phil is held up by his handler for the crowd to see during the ceremonies for Groundhog day on Feb. 2, 2018, in Punxsutawney, Penn.

Phil's Canadian counterpart, an albino groundhog named Wiarton Willie, also spotted his shadow Friday morning.

But Phil's groundhog rival, Staten Island Chuck, did not see his shadow, predicting an early spring.

Pierre C. Shadeaux, perhaps Phil's far distant rodent cousin, also did not see his shadow in New Iberia, Louisiana, forecasting an early and longer spring for locals.

Although dubbed the Cajun groundhog, Shadeaux is a nutria, a large rodent from South America that’s now an invasive species in Louisiana’s bayous.

PHOTO: Groundhog Club co-handler John Grifiths holds Punsxutawney Phil the weather prognosticating groundhog during the Groundhog Day celebratio, in Punxsutawney, Penn., Feb. 2, 2018.  Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter.
Groundhog Club co-handler John Grifiths holds Punsxutawney Phil the weather prognosticating groundhog during the Groundhog Day celebration at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Penn., Feb. 2, 2018. Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter.

Whether you trust the weather forecasts of furry rodents, the National Weather Service suggests February will have colder than normal temperatures in the northern and northeastern United States, with abnormally warm weather in the West.

ABC News' Kevin Kraus contributed to this report.

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