The predictions are in: groundhogs share whether Canadians are to expect a longer winter or an early spring

With February bringing heavy snowfall across the country, fierce snowstorms and icy roads, many Canadians waited to hear the predictions of groundhogs across the country yesterday morning.

Waking the Groundhog Up

Each year, February 2nd marks Groundhog Day, a day where select groundhogs are woken a few weeks prior to their natural wake from hibernation. It has been believed that if the groundhog sees its shadow, it will return to hibernating in its burrow, thus indicating six more weeks of winter.

However, if the rodent chooses to remain awake, this is thought to indicate an early spring across North America.

Shubenacadie Sam

Residing at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park in Nova Scotia, Shubenacadie Sam was the first rodent to share his predictions for Canadian weather this year. Although traditional Groundhog Day celebrations were cancelled due to weather conditions, Shubenacadie Sam still shared his prediction with the public.

“Who could have called this, it has cleared after the storm allowing for a shadow!” Sam shared on his Twitter account, @ShubenacadieSam. “I predict six more weeks of winter!”

Wiarton Willie

Prognosticating from South Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Wiarton Willie’s website claims that he is the “most famous groundhog in Canada and the only albino weather prognosticator in the world.”

Every year, the town hosts a week-long festival, drawing visitors to hear and celebrate his prediction. Wiarton Willie also took to Twitter yesterday, sharing, “With cloudy skies and snow falling upon us this morning in #Wiarton, it was very hard to find my shadow – even with all the camera lights around! Fans of spring rejoice, an #EarlySpring is around the corner.”

Winnipeg Wynn

The Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (PWRC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba houses Winnipeg Wynn, a groundhog taken in by the centre in 2016. Her predictions for 2020 are that spring will be coming early for Canadians.

Manitoba Merv

Also, in Manitoba, Manitoba Merv lives at the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre. The puppet supports his fellow rodents predicting an early Spring this year.

Fred la Marmotte

The official groundhog prognosticator for the province of Quebec, Fred la Marmotte, resides in Val-d’Espoir, Perce. This year, he also predicted that spring will come early.

Punxsutawney Phil

In America, Punxsutawney Phil from the state of Pennsylvania, has shared his predictions for the nation. Phil also agreed that spring will be coming early tweeting, “Spring will be early; it’s a certainty!”

With an overwhelming consensus of an early Spring among the groundhogs, there may be some hope of warmer weather on its way for Canadians.