Spring Has Not Yet Sprung -- So Says The Famous Groundhog

We are to have six more weeks of winter.

That is what Punxsutawny Phil says.

But it should be noted that this prediction takes place in the northeast part of the United States. What might apply to Pennsylvania may not apply to Florida or California.

The prognostication event began in 1887 and is rooted in a German superstition that says if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on February 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early.

What started as a small gathering in 1887 has now evolved into tens of thousands of visitors from around the nation and even the world coming to Punxsutawney to participate in this time-honored Groundhog Day tradition.

Records indicate Phil has seen his shadow 100 times and hasn't seen it just 16 times since 1886, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle, which runs the event. There are no records for the remaining years.

How accurate are these predictions? It should be noted the prognostications are not exactly site specific. What might be true for Punxsutawney may not apply to Orlando or San Diego.