Today is Groundhog Day, an age-old tradition that sees groundhogs around the country become meteorologists for a day. The concept is simple enough – the groundhog will emerge from its burrow and if it sees its shadow, it will return to its den, predicting that winter will last another six weeks. If the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow, the prediction will be that spring arrives early.
The first groundhog in Canada (and North America) to make their prediction was Shubenacadie Sam, representing Nova Scotia. A veteran predictor, Sam has been the center of the province’s Groundhog Day traditions since 1999. Regularly held at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, the event was streamed virtually this year, and Nova Scotians got to watch from home as Sam did not spot his own shadow, predicting an early spring.
In Quebec, groundhog Fred la Marmotte made his prediction via livestream from his home in the town of Val d’Espoir, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hosted annually by the town’s local church, Fred seemed to agree with Sam this year, forecasting an early spring, as he also did not spot his shadow.
In Ontario, 2021 marks the 65th year of this tradition. Wiarton Willie, the albino groundhog, once again took up the mantle of predicting the coming seasons. South Peninsula Mayor Janice Jackson acted as Willie’s interpreter, announcing an early spring via an online video event, mentioning that Willie did not spot his own shadow, coinciding with both Sam and Fred’s predictions. The event also featured special appearances from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
BC’s own Van Isle Violet was introduced in 2018 and has also offered her prediction this year. One of the only 200 remaining Vancouver Island Marmots remaining in the world, Violet resides on Mount Washington on Vancouver Island. This year, Violet decided to stay nestled in her burrow, predicting a long winter.
Manitoba Merv is a bit different from the other provinces’ groundhogs. The province’s representative is actually a puppet and used to act in shows 25 years ago before becoming the center of Manitoba’s Groundhog Day traditions. Merv resides in a cardboard box at the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre in Stonewall, Manitoba. This year, Merv predicted an early spring, which some may take for granted, as it is said that the puppet has a shockingly impressive 98% accuracy rating.
Last but certainly not least, Alberta’s Balzac Billy has also chimed in with his prediction. Much like Merv, Billy isn’t actually a living, breathing, groundhog. In fact - Billy isn’t a groundhog at all. Billy is a gopher and the mascot for the town of Balzac, Manitoba. Although Billy has had a history of inaccurate predictions (even disappearing for several decades due to these inaccuracies), Billy is not afraid of offering his prediction once again this year, albeit it may be an unwelcome one – that of another six weeks of winter.
So, as always, weather predictions vary immensely, based on both locations and species.