If you have been pummeled by this year's harsh winter, take heart, for spring is around the corner. At least that's what legendary groundhog 'Punxsutawney Phil', 'predicted' this morning in front of hundreds of freezing fans.

The famous critter, who was pulled out of his burrow carefully by two handlers donned in tuxedos and top hats, surveyed his surroundings carefully and finding no shadow, stayed on outside. According to the legend, had Phil seen his shadow, he would have scampered back into his hole, indicating that winter is likely to continue for at least another six weeks!

Groundhog day was started by German settlers who arrived in Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th century. Since then, the holiday is celebrated all across the United States, every February 2nd.

While there are many groundhogs and even an armadillo (in Texas) that make predictions in other cities of the United States, Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous. That's because according to local folklore, Phil, kept alive by a magic potion is 125 years old and, has been predicting the weather for over 110 years. The little critter is also known internationally thanks to his role in the 1993 movie, 'Groundhog Day'.

Groundhogs, also called Woodchucks, Land Beavers or Whistle Pigs are the largest members of the squirrel family. They grow between 17-26 inches in length and up to 4lbs. in weight. Unlike Phil, these largely herbivorous animals have a lifespan of between 6-8 years, in the wild.

Whether Phil can truly predict the weather is matter of opinion. Weather experts say he has been right only 39% of the time, while the folks at Punxsutawney, PA say he has a perfect record - Given this year's freeze in the Northern Hemisphere, we sure hope this is the one time he is right. And, he may well be, for Chuck, another long-living copycat groundhog, from New York's Staten Island who has been making predictions for only 30 years and has an accuracy rate of 80%, also predicted an early spring!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Resources: wikipedia.org, ksla.com