Punxsutawney Phil, America's most famous weather predictor, showed his shadow Thursday, predicting winter for six more weeks, but he was in the vast minority among other groundhogs who think that spring is coming early this year.
Phil emerged from his lair Feb. 2 to see his shadow on Gobbler's Knob to predict the weather.
But groundhogs in other five states - West Virginia's French Creek Freddie, Georgia's Gen. Beauregard Lee, Ohio's Buckeye Chuck and New York's Staten Island Chuck - did not see their shadows, Associated Press reported.
Even Ontario's Wiarton Willie and Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam did not see their shadow.
More than 18, 000 people gathered at around 7.30 a.m. at Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to witness the prognostication ceremony.
The celebration of Groundhog Day lies in a German superstition that says if a groundhog dog sees his shadow Feb. 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, winter will last another six weeks and if no shadow is seen, spring will come early.
However, regardless of Phil prediction, winter hasn't really started in much of the country.
Check out the pictures of Phil's prediction.
Famed weather prognosticating groundhog Punxsutawney Phil prepares to make his annual weather prediction on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on the 126th Groundhog Day, February 2, 2012. Phil saw his shadow, signaling six more weeks of winter.
WTAJ meteorologist Joe Murgo tries to interview famed weather prognosticating groundhog Punxsutawney Phil after Phil made his annual weather prediction on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on the 126th Groundhog Day, February 2, 2012. Phil saw his shadow, signaling six more weeks of winter.
Groundhog handler Ron Ploucha holds famed weather prognosticating groundhog Punxsutawney Phil after his annual weather prediction on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on the 126th Groundhog Day, February 2, 2012. Phil saw his shadow, signaling six more weeks of winter.
Al Donst of Belvidere, New Jersey, waits with thousands of people for famed weather prognosticating groundhog Punxsutawney Phil to make his annual weather prediction on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on the 126th Groundhog Day, February 2, 2012.
Groundhog handler John Griffith holds famed weather prognosticating groundhog Punxsutawney Phil up to the crowd before Phil makes his annual weather prediction on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on the 126th Groundhog Day, February 2, 2012. Phil saw his shadow predicting six more weeks of winter.
Wiarton Mayor John Close gestures next to groundhog Wiarton Willie during the Wiarton Willie Fesitval on Groundhog Day in Wiarton, Ontario, February 2, 2012. The albino groundhog did not see his shadow, meaning an early spring.
Chesney Miller, 6, and Maggie Klunder, 7, wait to see if groundhog Wiarton Willie sees his shadow during the Wiarton Willie Festival on Groundhog Day in Wiarton, Ontario, February 2, 2012. The albino groundhog did not see his shadow, meaning an early spring.
Bonnie Woodstra (L), Sue Allison (C), and Mary Lou Mayoux, who call themselves the 'Retired Rodenteers', wait to see if groundhog Wiarton Willie sees his shadow during the Wiarton Willie Festival on Groundhog Day in Wiarton, Ontario, February 2, 2012. The albino groundhog did not see his shadow, meaning an early spring.
Wiarton Mayor John Close announces groundhog Wiarton Willie did not see his shadow, meaning an early spring, during the Wiarton Willie Festival on Groundhog Day in Wiarton, Ontario, February 2, 2012.
Groundhog Co-Handler Ben Hughes holds weather prognosticating groundhog Punxsutawney Phil while Co-Handler John Griffiths kisses him just before his annual prediction on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on the 124th Groundhog Day, February 2, 2010. Phil saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter.
Official Groundhog Handler John Griffith (L) holds famed weather prognosticating groundhog Punxsutawney Phil as he makes his annual prediction to Groundhog Club President Bill Deeley (R) on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on the 125th Groundhog Day, February 2, 2011. Phil did not see his shadow, signaling an early spring.
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