As the Midwest and East Coast try to recover from this week’s dangerous Arctic blast, Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog didn’t see his shadow this groundhog day, and predicted that warmer weather are not far off.
Members of Punxsutawney Phil‘s top hat-wearing inner circle revealed their forecast at sunrise on Saturday.
WATCH: Global Kingston Weather anchor, Bill Hall hits the streets to discuss Groundhog Day with local residents.
The festivities have their origin in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues. If not, spring comes early.
In reality, Phil’s prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney. That’s about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
READ MORE: Winter weather forecast — what Canadians can expect from coast to coast
WATCH: Feb. 2, 2018 — Groundhog Day — Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter