PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — The handlers of Pennsylvania’s
most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, say the furry rodent
has failed to see his shadow, meaning means he’s "predicted" an
early spring.

Members of the top hat-wearing Inner Circle announced the "forecast"
at sunrise, just before 7:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday.

Groundhog Day is a traditional holiday celebrated on February
2. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges
from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it is
sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat
back into its burrow, and the winter weather will persist for six
more weeks. The holiday was adopted in the U.S. in 1887. The
largest celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with
Punxsutawney Phil, the official “Groundhog Day meteorologist.” 

 
The Groundhog Club of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Groundhog Club handler Ron Ploucha, center, holds Punxsutawney
Phil.

The 1993 fantasy comedy film directed by Harold Ramis was
added to the U.S. National File Registry as being deemed
”culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

Carlotta Bradley

Eugene Curran "Gene" Kelly
(August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996)

Christie Brinkley (born Christie Lee Hudson in Monroe, Michigan)

Model and actress Christie Brinkley gained worldwide fame beginning in
the late 1970s with three consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
covers through 1981. She spent twenty five years as the face of CoverGirl
(the longest running cosmetics contract of any model in history), has
appeared on over 500 magazine covers, and has signed contracts with
major brands—both fashion and non-fashion.