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Groundhog's Day 2013: Punxsutawney Phil Faces Stiff Competition

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An early spring is on the way, according to groundhog "Punxsutawney Phil."

When the Pennsylvania groundhog emerged from his dwelling at Gobbler's Knob Saturday morning, he did not see his shadow.

"And so ye faithful, there is no shadow to see, an early Spring for you and me," proclaimed Bob Roberts, one of Phil's handlers.

According to folklore, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and see its shadow, then six more weeks of winter weather is on the way.

But if it comes out and sees no shadow, spring is expected to come early.

PCN/ABC News

An early spring is on the way, according to... View Full Size

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Punxsutawney, the Pennsylvania town that is home to one of the most famous weather-predicting groundhogs, Punxsutawney Phil, has been carrying on the tradition of Groundhog Day since the 1800s, according to The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

Ever since the tradition began in 1887, Phil (and his ancestors) saw their shadows 99 times, while predicting an early spring only 16 times. There was no record for nine of the years.

Other groundhogs like New York's "Staten Island Chuck," and Atlanta's "General Beauregard Lee" are also expected to make a prediction.

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ABC News' Alyssa Newcomb and The Associated Press contributed to this report.