Groundhog Day arrived on Wednesday and the celebrated rodents were being consulted across North America for predictions regarding the arrival of spring.
Manitoba Merv, the province's groundhog puppet, did see his shadow at Oak Hammock Marsh, suggesting six more weeks of winter is on the way.
Merv's prediction goes against those from other groundhogs, however.
All three of the most closely watched rodents, including Ontario's Wiarton Willie, Pennsylvania's Punxsatawney Phil and Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam, are predicting that spring will come early this year. When the three groundhogs emerged from their burrows early Wednesday morning, none saw their shadows.
According to Groundhog Day folklore, if a hibernating groundhog steps out of its warm burrow on Feb. 2 and doesn't see its shadow, then spring is not far away. If it sees its shadow and tries to head back inside, six more weeks of winter could be on the way.
- with files from CTV.ca
