PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring after not seeing his shadow Friday morning at Gobbler’s Knob.

It marks the 21st time Phil has not seen his shadow during the 138-year-old tradition.

The annual event dates to 1887 when a group of groundhog hunters first dubbed themselves “The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club” and proclaimed Punxsutawney Phil to be the one-and-only weather prognosticating groundhog.

Since then, thousands of people have gathered each February 2 to watch the groundhog emerge. According to the holiday folklore, if the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. Should he not see his shadow, Phil promises an early spring.

This year, more than 30,000 visitors celebrated Phil’s prognostication in person with live music, hot beverages, and fireworks.