February 2, 2010

LILBURN, Ga. -- If Georgia's groundhog can be believed, the chilly winter is about to give way to an early spring.

Gen. Beauregard Lee gave his annual Groundhog Day prognostication Tuesday morning from his home at the Yellow River Game Ranch. The prediction was delayed when Gen. Lee got away from his handlers and hid, then climbed a fence behind his mock-mansion home.

Legend has it that if a groundhog sees his shadow on Feb. 2, six more weeks of winter can be expected. Otherwise, spring is at hand. Rainy, cloudy weather kept shadows away.

His prediction contradicts the call made by Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil, who did see his shadow.

Official predictions call for more rain in Georgia later in the week. Gen. Lee did not address that issue.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)