MARION, Ohio -- Ohio's furry forecaster has seen his shadow, disappointing those who hoped the Groundhog Day tradition would indicate an early end to a bitterly cold winter.

Legend holds that winter will last six more weeks if the groundhog sees his shadow. If he doesn't, it means spring will come early.

Handlers say Ohio's official groundhog, Buckeye Chuck, saw his shadow at sunrise Monday in Marion, about 45 miles north of Columbus.

A crowd of spectators ate sandwiches and drank hot cocoa as they waited for the prediction beneath clear skies.

The Ohio groundhog's famous neighbor, Punxsutawney Phil, also saw his shadow in Pennsylvania.

The tradition comes from a German superstition that calls for bad weather if an animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas.