Groundhog predicts long Winter

Punxsutawney Phil, the celebrated rodent at the center of America's quirky Groundhog Day festivities, saw his shadow, presaging six more weeks of winter.

For the annual February 2 ritual, the weather-forecasting groundhog was pulled from his burrow, as crowds of jubilant onlookers in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania watched to see if his shadow can be discerned.

If Phil appears to see his shadow, winter will continue for six weeks. If not, spring starts early.

Town officials said Phil saw his shadow, which means winter will continue for six weeks.

The American tradition made famous around the world following the 1993 Bill Murray comedy "Groundhog Day" requires the marmot to be awakened from hibernation.