Mixed predictions for 2015 Groundhog Day
By Nelson Daily Staff
Depending on where you live, winter will continue to end pretty quick as the two Canadian celebrity groundhogs came up with a split decision today on the long-range weather forecast.
According to folklore, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on Groundhog Day and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.
Ontario’s Wiarton Willie did not see his shadow when he emerged from his home this morning, predicting an early spring.
However, in Nova Scotia, Shubenacadie Sam saw his shadow when he emerged from his burrow, which according to groundhog folklore means six more weeks of winter.
Last year, only Willie was correct when he spotted his shadow.
Neither Shubenacadie Sam nor the lesser-known Winnipeg Willow saw their shadow, thereby forecasting an early spring.
However, the furry prognosticators were all wrong as a polar vortex plunged Canada into a brutal winter that dragged on and on.
Across the 49th parallel, Punxsutawney Phil, the United States’ furry seasonal prognosticator, caught a glimpse of his shadow Monday morning (despite overcast skies), which means six more weeks of winter in America.
In BC, the Farmer’s Almanac predicts temperature 0.5°C (0.5°C above avg.) with precipitation 80mm (30 mm below avg.) for February and for March average temperature is 5 C, 1 C above average.
