Will spring arrive early this year, or will winter last another six weeks? When spring arrives, will the groundhogs of Nova Scotia agree or disagree?
Groundhog Day has been observed since 1887, though it’s unclear when Nova Scotians first began observing these creatures that could predict the weather. The degree of accuracy with which groundhogs can forecast the arrival of spring is hard to say. Using Canadian weather data, the accuracy of predictions is low. Even so, there is still hope that the groundhogs are correct, and spring will arrive six weeks early.
Groundhog Day also occurs midway between the spring equinox, when day and night are equal in duration, and the winter solstice, when the night is the longest of the year.
The Prognosticating Groundhog, Shubenacadie Sam, is arguably the most popular groundhog in Nova Scotia. Shubenacadie Sam is the name given to four groundhogs since 1987. People travel from all around Nova Scotia to the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park to watch Sam come out from his hole and check to see whether he can see his shadow. When it comes to anticipating whether spring would arrive early or late, Sam is allegedly the most accurate. He is also the first North American woodchuck to anticipate Groundhog Day each year. People might even view the park’s SamCam online.
Shubenacadie Sam – Shubenacadie Provincial Wild Park
Wildlife Park is open starting at 7:30 a.m. on Groundhog Day. Sam’s prediction enclosure will be in the main lot from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. In addition, February 2nd is World Wetlands Day, which Shubenacadie Wild Park typically commemorates with interactive exhibits about wetlands in the Maritimes.
Special Shubenacadie Sam goods are only available on Groundhog Day, so be sure to check out the gift shop.
Lucy Lobster – Cape Sable Island Causeway
Lucy Lobster, the mascot for the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl festival, is well-known for her ability to forecast the weather. Part of the celebrations happening across the South Shore, from Barrington to Peggy’s Cove, is the prediction made by the only crustacean in the world that can make predictions.
TR Tunnel – Two Rivers Wildlife Park
TR Tunnel is located at Two Rivers Wildlife Park in Mira. The weather is checked by TR Tunnel on Groundhog Day at around 11:22 am, which is later than Sam.
Learn more about Nova Scotia’s Groundhog Day at: https://www.todocanada.ca/groundhog-day-in-nova-scotia/
Reference and photos credit to: https://www.todocanada.ca/
