Sorry, folks.
There will be six more weeks of winter, Van Isle Violet predicted as she emerged from her burrow on Wednesday morning to perform her Groundhog Day duties.
Every Groundhog Day, Canadians eagerly await the highly anticipated weather prediction of their local groundhog.
On February 2nd, the groundhog emerges from its burrow. If they see their shadow, tradition says winter will continue for another six weeks, if the groundhog does not see his shadow, spring is coming soon!
The Marmot Recovery Foundation from the Marmot Recovery Centre at Mount Washington posted a video on Facebook with Violet’s decision.
In the video, the centre staff is seen pulling out several hibernating marmots to do regular health checks on them—and they saved Violet’s grand entrance for last.
Near the end of the video, Violet made a shrill whistle, which the Marmot Recovery Foundation is describing as an alarm call which means we’ll be dealing with winter for the next six weeks.
The timing of that announcement couldn’t have come at a better time in terms of weather.
Environment Canada released a statement stating 2 to 5 cm of snowfall are expected for eastern parts of the Island, including the Malahat Highway.
Snow is expected over the course of today and tonight.
In Victoria, wet flurries are possible today in areas of higher terrain. Otherwise, we should see a cloudy day with periods of rain.
“A Pacific frontal system will move onto the BC south coast today. Freezing levels will initially be near sea level, and as a result precipitation will start as snow. Snowfall accumulations of 2 to 8 cm are forecast before warmer air pushes in late this afternoon and tonight allowing the snow to change to rain,” the weather agency warned.
So, should we hibernate until March?
