Groundhog Day 2018: Mixed signals and a near escape

North American groundhogs have spoken, and although there were some differences of opinion, the majority of the forecasting rodents believe spring will spring sooner than later while one was too busy sleeping.

Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam was the first of the famedfurry prognosticators to emerge from their lairs on Groundhog Day, the popular tradition held every Feb. 2 in North America. The Weather Network says that according to folklore, if agroundhog sees its shadow, it will return to its burrow, indicating six more weeks of winter. If it doesn't go back into hiding, spring will arrive early.

Sam failed to see its shadow.

Fans looked on and let out loud cheers asSam, which lives at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, scampered around the snowy grounds on the 30th anniversary of its annual weather prediction until it tried to make a great escape.

The CBC's Brett Ruskin received a minor injury in adaring rescue to stop Sam before it got away.

CBC reporter comes to rescue of escaping groundhog

7 years ago

Duration 0:29

CBC's Brett Ruskin stops Shubenacadie Sam from making a quick getaway when no one is looking

But according to Sam's fellow groundhogs, we have a way to go before winter wilts.

Perhaps the most famous groundhog in the U.S.Pennsylvania'sPunxsutawney Phil saw its shadow, meaning more cold and blustery weather. At about 7:18 a.m. ET, the rodent made its prediction to a crowd of thousands.

Ontario'sWiarton Willie emerged from itsden at 8:07 a.m.to chants of,"Wake up Willie!"

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The "king of perfect predictions," as officials called him, announced six more weeks of winter.

The mayor of South Bruce Peninsula, JaniceJackson, said this year's albinogroundhog was found in a backyard as a replacement for the Willie that died last September.

• Wiarton Willie predicts six more weeks of winter

"He's doing a fantastic jobthis Willie," Jackson said toCBCLondon Morning's JulianneHazlewood."His eyes are bluewhich is lovely, so he's white with big beautiful blue eyes. He loves carrots and he's crazy about corn."

Fred lamarmotte, the star groundhogin Vald'Espoir, Que., didn't see itsshadow Fridaymorning.

More than 100 people gathered inVald'Espoirin theGasp regionto watch Fred's prediction.

In Winnipeg, there was some controversy in the groundhog world.

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The puppet at Oak Hammock Marsh, ManitobaMerv, called for an early spring because itdidn't see itsshadow.

But WinnipegWyndid see its shadow, predicting more wintry weather.

Merv, an inanimate stuffed animal,has been in the Groundhog Day game for more than two decades.ButWyn, a real-life woodchuck, is Manitoba's newest weather prognosticator and madeits debut last year.

Alberta's resident rodent, Balzac Billy, was cheered on for not seeing his shadow Friday.

And Vancouver'sVan Island Violet was too busy hibernating to make any predictions this year, as per her annual tradition.

Rivalry withrodents

The unpredictabilityof these furry animals have led to some long-standing tensions.

Meteorologists, including the CBC'sJohanna Wagstaffe, can be a bit sensitive aboutsharing the forecasting spotlight, as seen in this clip dug up byCBCDigital Archives.

'It's a lie!': CBC meteorologist talks back to groundhog

7 years ago

Duration 0:22

The off-screen voice of CBC meteorologist Percy Saltzman is heard reacting to a groundhog's prediction about winter.