Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring after not seeing shadow

But how often is the tradition right?

Groundhog co-handler John Griffiths holds up groundhog Punxsutawney Phil after Phil's annual weather prediction on Gobbler's Knob on the 130th Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania February 2, 2016 (Reuters)

Groundhog Day is upon is, and as a result the eyes of all superstitious Americans have turned to the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

As part of the genuine, 129-year-old tradition made famous by the Bill Murray film of the same name, Groundhog Day sees a small rodent entrusted with the task of predicting the next six weeks’ weather.

Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his artificial burrow shortly after 7.20am and, it reportedly being a bit cloudy, was unable to see his shadow.

That, local “official” Bill Deeley declared, means the US will experience an early spring this year.

The tradition has it that if the groundhog can’t see his shadow, it means warm weather is on the way. If he can, the winter is expected to be particularly long and harsh.

So should we listen to Phil? Some suggest he has a tendency to get it right – but largely because he normally predicts a longer winter which just so happens to coincide with the astronomical calendar.

The film 'Groundhog Day' has a lot to answer for (AP)

The NOAA has plenty of information on the annual antics at Gobbler’s Knob, and its analysis suggests Phil has only been right in recent years just 45 per cent of the time.

There are, however, few studies available on how Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions are impacted by global warming. Asked if he “believes in anthropogenic climate change”, the groundhog appeared to dodge the question.