As Canadians eagerly anticipate signs of spring, Groundhog Day traditions are once again offering predictions on the fate of winter. Across the country, groundhogs have emerged to provide their annual forecasts, delivering mixed results on whether Canada will see an early spring or endure six more weeks of winter.
Shubenacadie Sam, Nova Scotia’s celebrity groundhog, predicts a long winter ahead. Emerging briefly from her enclosure at a wildlife park north of Halifax, Sam saw her shadow, signaling six more weeks of cold and snow.
“Not surprisingly, it seems Sam wants to get back inside,” said Andrew Boyne, director of the wildlife division at the Department of Natural Resources. “She saw her shadow, which means winter isn’t over yet.”
Meanwhile, Ontario’s Wiarton Willie delivered a more hopeful forecast, failing to see his shadow and instead predicting an early arrival of spring. This news is likely to be well received by those ready to bid farewell to winter’s icy grip.
Folklorists trace Groundhog Day’s origins to medieval Europe, where farmers believed that if small animals—such as hedgehogs—emerged from their burrows in search of food, warmer weather was on the way. The tradition states that if a groundhog sees its shadow, winter will continue for another six weeks; if it does not, spring-like conditions are expected to arrive early.
Across North America, several famous groundhogs take part in the annual tradition:
- Shubenacadie Sam (Nova Scotia) – Saw shadow, predicting a long winter ❄️
- Wiarton Willie (Ontario) – No shadow, predicting early spring 🌱
- Fred la Marmotte (Quebec) – Yet to make a prediction
- Punxsutawney Phil (Pennsylvania, U.S.) – A longtime favorite in the tradition, expected to make an appearance later today.
While groundhog predictions remain a fun tradition, meteorologists suggest keeping an eye on long-term forecasts for a more scientific outlook on the remainder of winter.
For now, Canadians will have to wait and see which rodent gets it right—will Wiarton Willie’s call for an early spring prevail, or will Shubenacadie Sam’s forecast of prolonged cold hold true?