It’s Groundhog Day, and Manitobans could be in for another six weeks of winter, according to Manitoba’s furry friend.
Manitoba Merv, a groundhog puppet at Oak Hammock Marsh, saw his shadow as he gave his prediction Monday morning.
For the past few decades, Manitoba Merv has almost always correctly predicted the arrival of spring-like weather, with only a few mistakes along the way.
“Sorry folks, but Merv just saw his shadow, so we are looking at 6 more weeks of winter (which in Manitoba is pretty normal),” said Oak Hammock Marsh in a post on Facebook. “Happy World Wetlands Day!”
Oak Hammock Marsh says that although they believe in the abilities of a plush rodent to predict the arrival of spring, they say the best way to find out if we have an early spring is by looking for the arrival of the first Canada Geese. Recording the spring arrival of the first Canada Goose seen at Oak Hammock Marsh is an annual tradition.
Elsewhere, Ontario’s Wiarton Willie did not see his shadow, as did Quebec’s Fred La Marmotte, which means an early spring for those provinces.
Shubenacadie Sam was unable to give his prediction as a winter storm has led to cancellations across Nova Scotia.
Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil came out of his burrow in Gobbler’s Knob and also saw his shadow, meaning another six weeks of winter.
Groundhog Day started as a German legend where if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues for six more weeks. If not, spring comes six weeks early.
