Snow on Saturday may change the groundhogs’ minds

Darlene Shantz shares this photograph she took at the stop at the corner of Kingsley and Old Milford Road Friday morning. The day’s glorious sunshine was welcome relief following a week of snow storms, blizzards, ice and squalls.

UPDATE FEB 2: On Groundhog Day, most of the popular furry forecasters predicted six more weeks of winter. Only Shubenacadie Sam did not see his shadow, indicating warmer days are just ahead.

However, wintry weather may rear again over Saturday to tease  Wiarton Willie and his fellow groundhog prognosticators, on Sunday.

Environment Canada expects that with gusty winds, and temperatures around the freezing mark, there will be less blowing snow and drifting and there may also be rain.

In predicting the arrival of spring, Wiarton Willie and Shubenacadie Sam, of Nova Scotia and Balzaz Billy of Alberta are said to be accurate 37 per cent of the time. Punxsutawney Phil, of Pennsylvania USA is said to be accurate 39 per cent of the time.

As tradition goes, spring will arrive early if the groundhogs do not see their shadow. Should they see their shadow there will be six more weeks of winter and they will return to their burrow.

Another legend is based on the couplet “If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there will be two winters in the year.”