Winter may soon be over -- if you believe large rodents.

Saturday marks Groundhog Day, and Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow when he emerged from his Pennsylvania hole. That's supposed to indicate an early spring.

Here on Long Island, Holtsville Hal and Malverne Mel concurred with their colleague.

If the furry forecasters had seen their shadows -- we would have been in for another six weeks of winter.

And there are indeed milder temperatures in the forecast following the deep freeze that has gripped the Island. News 12 meteorologists say Saturday's highs in the 30s will be followed by temps in the mid-40s for Sunday. Monday will see highs near 50 degrees, and Tuesday will climb even higher, into the mid-50s.