Groundhog Day 2013: Will 'Punxsutawney Phil' See His Shadow?

Groundhog Club handler Ron Ploucha holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 126th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Feb. 2, 2012. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)

Will spring come early this year?

According to folklore, the answer hinges on a groundhog and the right weather conditions on Feb. 2.

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 forecast to come early.

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.

Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo

Groundhog Club handler Ron Ploucha holds... View Full Size

Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo

Groundhog Club handler Ron Ploucha holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 126th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Feb. 2, 2012.

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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.

Thousands are expected to gather at Gobbler's Knob to watch Phil emerge from his dwelling.

However, Punxsutawney Phil isn't the only groundhog that's expected to make an appearance.

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New York has "Staten Island Chuck," Atlanta has "General Beauregard Lee" and "Wiarton Willie" is in Wiarton, Ontario, according to the National Climactic Data Center .

But Punxsutawney residents aren't worried about Phil's competition.

"We welcome them all. We like the competition," Bill Deeley, president of the Groundhog Club's Inner Circle told The Associated Press.

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