Famous North American Groundhogs Predict Early Spring

The most famous North American groundhogs have predicted the arrival of an early spring on Friday morning, including Fred, the ‘official groundhog of Quebec’, in Gaspésie.

The new groundhog from Val d’Espoir, a sector of Percé, came out of its den early in the morning to predict that spring will soon arrive, after consulting the children’s committee.

Fred, a one-and-a-half-year-old groundhog, visibly energetic, replaced the one that passed away last year at the age of nine.

The new creature made a grand appearance early in the morning while it was snowing heavily.

The other famous groundhogs also predicted an early spring.

In Nova Scotia, Shubenacadie Sam slowly emerged from its little house, and under a grey sky, she apparently could not see her shadow.

The legend states that if a groundhog sees its shadow, it will retreat into its burrow for another six weeks of winter weather. If it doesn’t see its shadow, then spring will be early.

As usual, Shubenacadie Sam was the first groundhog in North America to make a prediction.

In Ontario, Wiarton Willie also didn’t see its shadow later in the morning.

In Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil also came forward with a prediction of an early spring.

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is home to the largest and most well-known Groundhog Day celebration in the United States.

The annual event is a ritual in which Phil’s handlers, members of a club dating back to the late 19th century, reveal whether the groundhog has seen its shadow.

Just after sunrise on Friday, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club announced that Phil did not see its shadow, indicating an early spring.