Manitoba Merv appears at Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre to make his Groundhog Day prediction in this 2020 photo. (CHRISD.CA FILE)
Manitoba will see six more weeks of winter, according to the province’s trusty groundhog.
Manitoba Merv popped his head out at Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre near Stonewall on Monday 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.
Manitoba Merv has had a 73 percent success rate in making correct predictions since 2000, according to The Weather Network.
Elsewhere across the Groundhog Day celebrity circuit, Balzac Billy (Alberta), Van Island Violet (British Columbia) and Punxsutawney Phil (Pennsylvania), predicted six more weeks of winter, along with Merv. Shubenacadie Sam (Nova Scotia), Lucy the Lobster (Atlantic Canada), Wiarton Willie (Ontario) and Fred La Marmotte (Quebec) called for an early spring by not seeing their shadows.
The first official day of spring is March 20.
