Winter or Spring? It's Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania

The handlers of Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog are set to predict whether the US will have early spring-like weather or have to suffer through the end of winter.

Members of Punxsutawney Phil’s top hat-wearing inner circle plan to reveal their forecast at sunrise, just before 7.30am local time on today.

A German legend has it that if the rodent sees his shadow on February 2, winter will last an additional six weeks. If not, Spring comes early.

In reality, Phil’s “prediction” is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler’s Knob.

The tiny hill is located just outside the town of Punxsutawney, about 65 miles (105km) north-east of Pittsburgh.

The tradition was made famous in the classic comedy movoe 'Groundhog Day' starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.

To mark the holiday, Sky is showing the movie of the same name thirteen times in a row - with the marathon lasting 24 hours.

Records going back to 1887 have Phil forecasting more winter 102 times while forecasting an early spring just 17 times.

There are no records for the remaining years.