Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow on 2 February, therein predicting an early spring at the annual Groundhog Day ceremony in Pennsylvania. His forecast, read by Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle vice-president Jeff Lundy, drew cheers from the crowd.

"Weather forecasting is my comfort zone. Is this current warm weather more than a trend? Perchance this winter has come to an end? There is no shadow to be cast. An early spring is my forecast!" said Lundy.

According to the legend, if the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of snow and freezing temperatures. If he does not, an early spring is to be expected. Groundhogs have been offering weather predictions such as this in the tiny town of Pennsylvania since 1887. The annual event, made even more popular and famous by 1993 film Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, draws thousands of onlookers from as far away as Australia and Russia.

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