WIARTON, Ont. - Two of Canada's famed four-legged forecasters have made clashing weather predictions.
Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam is calling for an early spring while Ontario's Wiarton Willie expects six more weeks of winter.
According to tradition, if the groundhog doesn't see its shadow when it emerges from its burrow on Groundhog Day, an early spring is in store.
It was two against one on Tuesday, as Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil, arguably the best-known weather predicting woodchuck, also predicted an early end to winter.
This year's Groundhog Day festivities have already been marred by the death of Canada's westerly prognosticator, Winnipeg Willow.
Groundhog Day celebrations have been cancelled in Manitoba due out of respect for Willow, who died last Friday at the Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Festivities will continue at Oak Hammock Marsh, however, with groundhog puppet 'Manitoba Merv'.
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.
Wiarton, Ont., celebrated the 60th anniversary of predictions by the town's albino groundhog - Willie.
Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam had 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.
-- With files from CTV Winnipeg.
