Punxsutawney Phil to text his weather prediction

[February 04, 2010]  PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Punxsutawney Phil will text his weather prediction this year.

Mickey Rowley, Pennsylvania's deputy tourism secretary, says he realizes that not everyone can come to Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day, so this is a good way to get the word out.

Those who want to find out whether the famous groundhog predicts an early spring or six more weeks of winter can text "Groundhog" to 247365. They will get a text message with the prediction on Feb. 2.

Each year, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania to find out whether Phil sees his shadow. Members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club pull the marmot from its hiding spot and, they say, listen for his prediction in a language they call "groundhog-ese."

The text, however, will be in English.

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On the Net:

http://www.groundhog.org/

[Associated Press]

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