Groundhog Day in British Columbia Vancouver Island marmots (groundhogs are marmots) predict the weather on Groundhog Day for British Columbia. The marmot, Van Isle Violet, who resides at Marmot Recovery Foundation located at Mount Washington on Vancouver Island, is the usual prognosticator. The grounds surrounding the Allan Brooks Nature Centre in B.C.'s North Okanagan Valley near Vernon are home to many yellow-bellied marmots, a type of groundhog found throughout southwestern Canada. Groundhog Day is celebrated in Canada and the United States every year on 2 February. Legend has it that watching a groundhog emerge from its burrow can determine the weather forecast for the coming weeks. Accordingly, if it is a sunny day and the groundhog sees its shadow, it goes back to sleep for six more weeks of winter. This route in BC takes you to five natural hot springs surrounded by mountain scenery 7 scenic winter drives you can take from Vancouver this winter. Groundhog Day 2024: “Van Isle” Violet answers the call Its not your usual Groundhog Day ceremony. There are no proclamations (too loud) or holding marmots in the air. The Allan Brooks Nature Centre is excited to announce its 4th annual Groundhog Day celebration, taking place on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 at 10am. This free event is perfect for all ages and promises to bring fun, education, and a bit of winter magic to the community. Groundhog Day didn’t go to script in Canada this year: one died before making a prediction, In British Columbia, stuffed groundhog Okanagan Okie also called for an early spring. List of dates for other years. Upcoming holidays in Canada. Holidays in Canada 2025. Holidays in Canada 2026. Groundhog Day in Canada focuses on the concept of a groundhog coming out of its home in mid-winter to “predict” if spring is on its way in the northern hemisphere. While it might not seem like a significant event in British Columbia, many Canadians look forward to Groundhog Day each year. There isn't only one "groundhog" to mark the occasion, of course. In fact, most provinces have a signature rodent that scurries out of its borrow — and possibly back inside of it, too. See a list of all 14 Canadian prognosticators, whether genuine groundhogs or otherwise. Despite the name, GROUNDHOG-DAY.com is all-welcoming. Groundhog Day History. Groundhog Day is a folk tradition celebrated across North America on February 2, aimed at predicting the arrival of spring. Largely observed in Canada and the United States, the popular custom is based upon the belief that the emergence of a groundhog from its burrow on this day can help determine the duration of winter. Canada’s famous prognosticating rodents appeared to reach a consensus on Groundhog Day, as furry forecasters spanning three provinces predicted an early spring. Ontario’s Wiarton Willie, Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam and Quebec’s Fred la Marmotte all reportedly did not see their shadows on Friday morning. According to folklore, if the groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, winter will last for another six weeks. If it doesn’t see its shadow, we will have an early spring. 2024 Groundhog Day Predictions: Canada’s groundhogs have agreed to disagree on weather predictions. The results are in: Its a 50/50 split in Canada, with one extra vote for spring coming from our friend Phil in the U.S. A recap of Groundhog Day predictions, 2020-2023. British Columbia Move over Wiarton Willie, B.C. has its own groundhog forecaster now The Canadian Encyclopedia says that while Groundhog Day event organizers have historically predicted a 70 Van Island Violet is a prognosticating marmot from Vancouver Island whose predictions are meticulously interpreted by the Marmot Recovery Foundation in Nanaimo, British Columbia. There are four species of marmots in Canada, but only the Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is considered at risk. Canada’s famous prognosticating rodents appeared to reach a consensus on Groundhog Day, as furry forecasters spanning three provinces predicted an early spring. Folklorists say the Groundhog Okanagan Okie is a prognosticating Plush yellow-bellied marmot from Vernon in British Columbia, Canada. In 2024, Okie predicted an early spring. The resident BC ‘groundhog,’ Van Isle Violet, ventured outside after months of hibernation and saw her shadow, which means we’ve got six more weeks of winter left to tackle. On the bright side, though, this means more time to stay cozy indoors or take advantage of these winter activities . 2024 GROUNDHOG DAY RESULTS Lucy The Lobster: Barrington Passage, N.S. - Six more weeks of winter. Click here to view the video. Who says groundhogs are the only ones that can predict the weather? Lucy is a local celebrity, drawing a crowd this groundhog day. Unfortunately, for spring lovers, Lucy had bad news. 2023 Groundhog Day Predictions: Canada’s groundhogs have agreed to disagree on weather predictions. Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam predicted six more weeks of winter at the 8 a.m. event held at Shubenacadie park while Wiarton Willie predicted early spring for Ontario. Six more weeks of winter in groundhog language means long winter.
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