Winter too long? Think grey for Groundhog Day

Feb 2, 2010, 0:32 GMT

Washington - One of the ironies of Groundhog Day is that the wishful thinkers who dream about an early spring must hope for grey skies on Tuesday.

That's when the hibernating groundhog, Phil, will be roused from his winter slumber at 7:30 am in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, by top- hat wearing members of a local special club.

If it's sunny, and Phil sees his shadow, he's likely to be frightened back into his nest. That would mean at least six more weeks of winter, according to local tradition.

But if it's overcast, Phil may stay outside his hole, meaning an early spring.

Phil will be awakened by 15 tuxedo-clad members of the Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club at 1230 GMT for the ritual at Gobblers Knob, where his nest is located.

Phil's hole is always surrounded by a crush of television reporters, as immortalized in the scenes in the cult film Groundhog Day with Bill Murray.

Phil's website says the curious can receive instant news of his predictions by texting 'Groundhog' to 247365 by Tuesday.