Pa. handlers get ready to rouse Punxsutawney Phil

[February 02, 2010]  PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) -- Thousands of people are expected to gather before dawn in western Pennsylvania to await a weather forecast by the world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney (puhnk-suh-TAW'-nee) Phil.

German tradition holds that if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on Feb. 2 -- the Christian holiday of Candlemas -- winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early.

The Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club annually announces Phil's forecast at dawn on Gobbler's Knob, about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

The National Weather Service has forecast 15-degree temperatures and overcast skies for the announcement.

The Groundhog Club says since 1887 Phil has predicted more winter weather by seeing his shadow nearly 100 times, but there are no records for nine years.

[Associated Press]

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