According to tradition, spring is just around the corner if Phil doesn't see his own shadow when he comes out of his burrow at dawn. But if he instead catches sight of his own shadow and turns back into his burrow, winter will hold on for another six weeks.
Groundhogs predict the weather in several places in the USA on February 2, a phenomenon that became widely known through the film "Groundhog Day".
The most famous tradition is in Punxsutawney, and this year, thousands of people were on hand to witness Phil's prediction. Even the British BBC broadcast the event live, and there it could be seen that the original tradition with Phil's observation of the shadow appears to have been modernized.
From an artificial stump placed on a stage, Phil was lifted forward by a wild, bearded man with a top hat on his head. The animal was then placed on a red carpet on top of the artificial stump. There, two paper rolls were placed, from which Phil "chose" one and communicated his prediction to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's chairman Tom Dunkel, who allegedly understands "groundhog language", writes BBC.
