Six more weeks of winter: Punxsutawney Phil

  • 11 years ago
ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Punxsutawney Phil, a famed U.S. groundhog with an even more famous shadow, emerged from his burrow in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on Sunday as winter lovers and haters waited for his annual prediction of how much longer the frigid winter weather will last.

According to tradition, if Phil sees his shadow, winter will last six more weeks. If he doesn't see his shadow, spring will come early.

Phil emerged from his burrow on Sunday morning at about 7:20, saw his shadow and predicted a longer winter.

A large crowd gathered near sunrise for the long-standing winter tradition with dignitaries officiating the event that has put Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on the nation's weather map.

The annual event, made even more popular by the 1993 film comedy "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray, draws thousands of faithful followers from as far away as Australia and Russia.

For the first time in history, Groundhog Day coincides with the

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