America's top groundhog predicts 6 more weeks of winter

Monday is Groundhog's Day, and Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania groundhog America strangely relies on to forecast the weather, saw his shadow. That means, according to lore, that America can look forward to six more long weeks of winter. Phil's record dates back to 1887, minus nine years, and the Punxsutawney mascot has seen his shadow 101 of those years, versus 17 Groundhog Days where he didn't. But hey, we all got a great Bill Murray movie out of the tradition.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.