Canadian rodent forecasters ready for Groundhog Day

Details
Category: Canada News
Published Tuesday, February 2, 2016
CTV News

Thousands across the country will be turning to four-legged forecasters with names like Wiarton Willie and Shubenacadie Sam today to learn if spring is just around the corner.

See Full Article

According to tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow when it emerges from its burrow on Groundhog Day there will be six more weeks of winter. But this year's festivities have already been marred by the death of one prognosticating marmot.

Groundhog Day celebrations have been cancelled in Manitoba due to the death of Winnipeg Willow, who died last Friday at the Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

Wiarton, Ont., is holding a festival to celebrate 60th anniversary of predictions by the town's albino groundhog - Willie.

Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam has the honour of making the first North American prediction of the day due to the province's time zone.

Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil, arguably the best-known weather predicting woodchuck, noted Winnipeg Willow's passing with his handlers saying they were surprised by news of the death of Phil's colleague.



Advertisements

Latest Canada & World News

  • Memorable quotes from Meghan and Harry's Oprah interview

    World News CTV News
    Memorable quotes and major revelations from Oprah Winfrey's interview with Meghan and Harry, their first since stepping away from royal life: "I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was very clear and real and frightening. Source

  • Authorities to seek charges after massive party near University of Colorado turned violent

    World News CTV News
    Authorities promised Sunday to pursue criminal charges after a massive party near the University of Colorado in Boulder devolved into a violent confrontation with police that left three officers injured. Hundreds of people flooded the streets in an area known as the Hill on Saturday night and when told to leave threw bottles, rocks and other objects at police and firefighters, police said. Source

  • Meghan says Royal Family had concerns about Archie's skin colour

    World News CBC News
    Meghan said she considered suicide or self-harm during her time with the Royal Family after asking for help but getting none. "I just didn't want to be alive any more. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. Source

  • Bombshells from royal interview: The most dramatic disclosures from Prince Harry and Meghan

    World News CTV News
    TORONTO -- Prince Harry and Meghan opened up about their life both in and out of the Royal Family during a wide-ranging interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired on Sunday. In the interview, Harry and Meghan spoke about their relationship with the Royal Family, Meghan’s first meeting with Queen Elizabeth and the tensions she’s experienced with the family. Source

  • U.S. and South Korea agree on new cost-sharing deal for troops

    World News CTV News
    WASHINGTON -- The United States and South Korea have reached agreement in principle on a new arrangement for sharing the cost of the American troop presence, which is intended as a bulwark against the threat of North Korean aggression, both countries announced. Source

  • Meghan says she had suicidal thoughts during royal life in Oprah interview

    World News CBC News
    Meghan said she considered suicide or self-harm during her time with the Royal Family after asking for help but getting none. "I just didn't want to be alive any more. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. Source

  • Meghan says Royal Family refused to make son a prince due to skin colour

    World News CBC News
    Meghan said she considered suicide or self-harm during her time with the Royal Family after asking for help but getting none. "I just didn't want to be alive any more. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. Source

  • Are there mussels on your moss balls? Alberta officials warn of tiny invasive species

    Canada News CTV News
    CALGARY -- Wildlife officials are sounding the alarm following the discovery of a tiny invader that hitched a ride into Alberta last week. Moss balls, also known as marimos, are a popular item among aquarium lovers and are sold in many pet and plant stores throughout the province. Source

  • At least 15 dead, 400 wounded in Equatorial Guinea blasts

    World News CTV News
    OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO -- A series of explosions at a military barracks in Equatorial Guinea killed at least 15 people and wounded more than 400 others, authorities said. State television TVGE read out a statement from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema which said the explosion was due to the "negligent handling of dynamite" in the military barracks located in the neighbourhood of Mondong Nkuantoma in Bata. Source

  • 'It's been a good week': Tam hopeful on vaccines as pandemic anniversary nears

    Canada News CTV News
    Canada's chief public health officer is expressing hope for the future as the world prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 crisis. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic last March 11, and Dr. Source