How likely are groundhogs to see their shadow? Our predictions
It's almost time for groundhogs to take centre stage. Time will tell if groundhogs in three of Canadas's hotspots see their shadows on Sunday morning.
If that happens, legend has it the marmot will go back into this burrow and remain there for six weeks. If the morning is overcast and the groundhog doesn't see its shadow, it will remain outside and spring could come early.
We asked Weather Network meteorologist Matt Grinter how likely three of Canada's most famous groundhogs -- Balzac Billy, Wiarton Willy, and Shubenacadie Sam -- are to see their shadows.
BALZAC, ALBERTA
Sunday's forecast in Balzac, Alberta is calling for mainly sunny skies and temperatures hovering around the freezing mark, making it difficult to predict what Balzac Billy will encounter when he wakes up.
"This will be a tough call because there is some forecast clearing for the morning where he has the potential to see his shadow -- but the window is small," Grinter says.
"Although there isn't the best chance for rain in the morning there still could be some cloud cover, but of the three, Billy has the best chance."
WIARTON, ONTARIO
Wiarton Willie is the resident groundhog in the Bruce County community bearing the same name. The Wiarton Willie Festival is a popular annual event that draws tourists from all around.
But what will he see this year? According to Grinter, not much.
"Wiarton Willy will come out Sunday morning and not see his shadow, and there is the chance that he might be waking up to flakes falling on his head," he says.
Wiarton is expected to see a daily high of 2°C Sunday, which is ever-so-slightly above average for February in the area.
Perhaps the warmer-than-usual temperatures, combined with the overcast skies that may prevent Willy from seeing his shadow, are signs of an early spring?
Groundhog Day is Sunday, February 2. Photo courtesy: Pxiabay.
SCHUBENACADIE, NOVA SCOTIA
Shubenacadie Sam, who resides in Shubenacadie Wildlife Park in Nova Scotia, usually makes an annual appearance at 8:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, February 2 -- but on Friday afternoon, officials made the call to cancel this year's groundhog festivities due to a Nor'easter that will be making its way through the area.
Instead of the festival, park officials are inviting the public to watch Sam via live webcam.
The weekend storm might not be indicative of a long winter: According to Grinter, Sam probably won't see his shadow.
"Sam will be hunkered down Saturday night as a Nor'easter drops snow on his home," he says.
"Although it won't be heavy snow, there could still be some lingering flurries early morning, which again means he won't see his shadow."
