Punxsutawney Phil predicts long winter

Those hoping for an early spring were disappointed by the news from Gobbler’s Knob today.

The annual ceremony of Groundhog Day on the knoll in Pennsylvania predicted winter will last another six weeks.

The groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, emerged from his burrow to see his shadow and tradition holds that if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on February 2 winter will be long. 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 from Pittsburgh.

Phil’s announcement came before hundreds of onlookers who braved temperatures of around -9C.

The club says since 1887 Phil has predicted more winter weather by seeing his shadow nearly 100 times.

The tradition in the rural American town was made famous by the classic 1993 comedy film 'Groundhog Day' starring Bill Murray.