Mishall RehmanAbove image: Canada’s weather predicting animals were out on full force on Feb. 2, 2025. Left to right, Wiarton Willie (Ontario), Fred la Marmotte (Quebec), Van Island Violet (BC), and Nova Scotia’s Shebenacadie Sam, and Lucy the Lobster. Images courtesy of groundhog day.com.
The resounding consensus amongst our weather-predicting furry friends is six more weeks of winter.
Groundhog Dog, which takes place on Feb. 2, brought the unwelcome news this year that most Canadians and Americans will face several more weeks of winter.
The only caveat came with Wiarton Willie of Ontario, who did not see his shadow on Sunday morning and predicted an early spring.
An Annual Celebration
Held every year on Feb. 2, Groundhog Day is a North American holiday rooted in folklore. According to the legend, winter will continue if a groundhog sees its shadow on Feb. 2. However, if he doesn’t, people can celebrate the coming of early spring.
Canadians and Americans alike turned to their televisions and social media to find the answer to the most itching question of this time of the year.
Conflicting Predictions
Aside from Wiarton Willie’s prediction of an early spring, several of the weather-predicting animals from across Canada and the United States predicted a longer winter.
The original and seasoned groundhog of Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil, who resides in Pennsylvania, United States, saw his shadow predicting a longer winter.
“Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!
Now on this February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil the seer of seers, the prognosticator of all prognosticators was awakened from his wintry nap at dawn on Gobbler’s Knob Phil looked to the skies and then, speaking in Groundhogese, directed the President to the proper scroll, which reads…
What a way to start a Sunday fun day.
You always said you’d make it here one day.
To this place, barely big enough to contain ya.
To this sweet Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania we’re all here with the elements combined Where Mother Nature meets Father Time.
To hear the truth – Is that a gray sky?
Only I know (you can’t trust A.I.)
It’s Groundhog Day and maybe life is on a loop, but I miss my burrow, I miss my coop.
So I’m headed back down! There’s a shadow up here! Get ready for six more weeks of winter this year!” Stated his official proclamation.
More Canadian Predictions
Other Canadian animals also predicted an extended winter, including:
- Shubenacadie Sam, who resides at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park in Nova Scotia
- Lucy the Lobster in Barrington, N.S.,
- Fred la Marmotte in Quebec predicted six more weeks of winter.
- Van Isle Violet in Nanaimo, B.C., predicted six more weeks of winter.
