Manitoba Merv says we’re in store for six more weeks of winter after making his annual Groundhog Day prediction as Oak Hammock Marsh on Thursday, February 2, 2023. (OAK HAMMOCK MARSH / TWITTER)
Manitoba is in for a prolonged winter, according to a stuffed rodent with a nearly flawless track record.
Manitoba Merv popped his head out at Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre near Stonewall Thursday and saw his shadow. According to Groundhog Day folklore, that means we’re in for six more weeks of winter. Had Merv not seen his shadow, it would signify an early spring.
It felt anything like spring on Thursday as much of the province was under an extreme cold warning. Those in Winnipeg woke up to -31°C temperatures and a -41 windchill. However, a break from the cold snap is on the way by this weekend, where Environment Canada is calling for single-digit temperatures by Sunday. The warming trend will carry into next week, making for a relatively balmy second week of February.
Elsewhere across the Groundhog Day celebrity circuit, Shubenacadie Sam (Nova Scotia), Fred La Marmotte (Quebec), Lucy the lobster (Atlantic Canada) and Punxsutawney Phil (Pennsylvania) all predicted six more weeks of winter. Wiarton Willie (Ontario) and Balzac Billy (Alberta) are calling for an early spring.
Okay, Canada. Let's break it down. The final results for #GroundhogDay2023 are… ?
Shubenacadie Sam, Fred La Marmotte, Lucy the lobster, Punxsutawney Phil + Manitoba Merv all declare 6 more weeks of winter! ???
Wiarton Willie + Balzac Billy predict early spring! ? pic.twitter.com/cftoU3aib2
— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) February 2, 2023
