Groundhog Day 2022 results: See them here
The results are in! Here's what the prognosticating rodents predict this year
While winter has settled in across the nation, many homebound Canadians have been asking an age-old question:
Will spring be here soon?
That depends on who you ask.
We've been following all the updates as our favourite prognosticators make their predictions for the weeks ahead, and it looks like most of our friends are believe winter isn't done with us yet.
Groundhog Day is a popular tradition celebrated in North America on February 2. According to folklore, if the groundhog sees its shadow, it will be scared and return to its burrow. That translates to a forecast of six more weeks of winter on the way. Under cloudy skies, the groundhog stays out to visit, suggesting we'll see an early spring.
THE RESULTS
Shubenacadie Sam: Six more weeks of winter
Sam saw her shadow, which is bad news for people hoping for an early spring.
Lucy the Lobster: Six more weeks of winter
We are two for two in Atlantic Canada. Lucy the Lobster is also predicting a long winter, having seen her shadow this morning at the Cape Sable Island Causeway.
Fred la marmotte: Six more weeks of winter
Last year, Fred did NOT see his shadow in Quebec, but it ws a different story in 2022. Like his friends out east, Fred is betting on six more weeks of winter. You can see a recap of the events here.
Punxsutawney Phil: Six more weeks of winter
We are on a roll! Phil, who is by far the most famous groundhog, also predicted six more weeks of winter.
Looks like we better keep those mittens handy!
Wiarton Willie: Early spring
Finally! Wiarton Willie marked the 66th anniversary of this yearly local tradition by declaring an early spring.
This year's groundhog may look a bit different. The albino groundhog that delivered predictions previously has passed away, and this year's stand-in is brown.
Speaking with The Weather Network, Bruce Peninsula Mayor Janice Jackson said that the 2022 understudy did a great job, but officials remain on the hunt for an albino groundhog.
"They're very rare," Jackson said.
"We searched high and low for quite a long time and couldn't come up with an albino. So his understudy is brown, and he did a great job this morning. He was kind of hiding under the straw. But I mean, it's his first prediction. So we have to give them that. But it was a lot of fun."
Manitoba Merv: Six more weeks of winter
Manitoba Merv celebrated World Wetlands Day by declaring six more weeks of winter.
Balzac Billy: Six more weeks of winter
Alberta's Balzac Billy was the last to give his prediction, emerging at 8 a.m. MST.
He's not hopeful about an early spring either. Like most of his friends, Billy saw his shadow.
RELATED: February shows its hand early as pattern change repeats this month
WATCH BELOW: THE GROUNDHOG DAY GALE THAT BROUGHT HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS TO THE MARITIMES
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