Shubenacadie Sam predicts 6 more weeks of winter

Nova Scotia residents hoping for an early end to the winter chill were disappointed on Sunday as Shubenacadie Sam, the province’s famous groundhog, predicted six more weeks of winter. The prediction was made at a ceremony held at the Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park, where the temperature was a bone-chilling -22°C.

Shubenacadie Sam, a beloved figure in Nova Scotia, has been making weather predictions since 1987. According to Andrew Boyne, the director of wildlife for the Department of Natural Resources, Sam has seen their shadow 12 times in the past. While Sam’s predictions are not always accurate, Boyne attributed any discrepancies to unpredictable weather patterns.

Accompanying Sam in her forecast was Barrington’s Lucy the Lobster, who also saw her shadow, indicating a prolonged winter ahead. The event drew a crowd of spectators eager to witness the annual tradition, despite the frigid conditions.

The ceremony, which marks Groundhog Day, is a longstanding tradition in Nova Scotia and is one of the earliest predictions made in North America due to the province’s location in the Atlantic time zone. As the crowd eagerly awaited Sam’s prediction, the groundhog emerged from her pen, signaling the continuation of winter weather.

The announcement may have dashed hopes of an early spring, but for many Nova Scotians, the event serves as a lighthearted way to embrace the remaining weeks of winter. As residents bundle up against the cold, they can take comfort in the knowledge that spring will eventually arrive, bringing warmer temperatures and blooming flowers.

Despite the chilly forecast, the Groundhog Day ceremony remains a beloved tradition in Nova Scotia, bringing communities together to celebrate the changing seasons and the resilience of nature. As Sam retreats to her burrow for the next six weeks, residents will eagerly await the arrival of spring, knowing that brighter days are just around the corner.