Six More Weeks

Punxsutawney Phil Makes His Forecast

Six more weeks of winter

By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff

Punxsutawney Phil does his thing in this 2017 file photo, with handler John Griffiths.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

(NEWSER) – Punxsutawney Phil made his usual forecast on Friday: Six more weeks of winter. Yes, the world's most famous groundhog saw his shadow at sunrise during the traditional Groundhog Day festivities in Pennsylvania, according to his human handlers. That's par for the course: The AP notes that records show Phil predicting an early spring just 18 times since 1887 during the festivities on Gobbler's Knob. NPR, meanwhile, has a look at Phil's "Inner Circle," the humans responsible for caring for him. Phil and wife Phyllis reside in the town library the rest of the year.