Consensus among the marmot and groundhog community in North America seems to be for six more weeks of winter. (Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Foundation)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

winter weather

‘More than happy to tuck back into bed:’ Van Isle Violet predicts remaining winter weeks

Feb 2, 2023 | 9:09 AM

NANAIMO — Snowfall earlier this week might not be the last of the white stuff we see this winter.

Van Isle Violet, a marmot serving as Vancouver Island’s own interpretation of the traditional groundhog, made her prediction of six more weeks of winter, according to the Marmot Recovery Foundation on Thursday, Feb. 2, better known as Groundhog Day.

“Van Isle Violet is calling for six more weeks of winter. She seemed more than happy to tuck back into bed for more hibernation,” a tweet from the foundation read Thursday morning.

Her prediction locally comes after distant cousins across North America made their traditional prognostications.

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As the story goes, if a groundhog sees their shadow on Feb. 2, there will be six more weeks of winter. while a shadow-less event means an early spring.

Shubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia joined Violet in predicting six more weeks of winter in the Maritimes.

The events were decidedly more subdued in Quebec with their marmot Fred, passing away on Wednesday, Feb. 1. A child using a stuffed marmot stood in and also predicted an extended winter.

In fact, most of Canada’s groundhogs, including Two Rivers’ Tunnel, Ontario’s Harvey and Manitoba Merv predicted six more weeks of winter, while Alberta’s Balzac Billy and Wiarton Willy in Ontario deviated from the crowd.

At the origin of the tradition, Punxsutawney, Pensylvania, their prized groundhog Punxsutawney Phil also forecast six more weeks of winter amid ongoing snowfall and frigid temperatures on the U.S. east coast.

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Phil’s predictions are correct around 40 per cent of the time

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