Six More Weeks of Winter, Groundhog Says

The groundhog has spoken: We’re in for six more weeks of winter.

The official statement from Punxsutawney Phil, released on his behalf by handlers John Griffiths and Ron Ploucha, read:

“Forecasts abound on the Internet
But I, Punxsutawney Phil, am still your best bet,
Yes, A Shadow I see, you can start to twitter,
Hash Tag: Six More Weeks of Winter!”

(The punctuation and capitalization were all Phil’s.)

Phil’s dire prediction came as the region awakened to another slippery morning. Speed restrictions were in place on area roads at 7:28 a.m. Monday when the famous rodent saw his shadow, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said. Those restrictions have since been lifted, but authorities Monday afternoon were continuing to urge caution to those on the roads.