In what will likely be heralded as a bleak Groundhog Day prognostication, one of Canada91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s most famous rodents died before he was set to make his prediction about spring91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s arrival.
Organizers in Quebec broke the news this morning to the crowd gathered in Val d91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™Espoir, saying nine-year-old Fred la Marmotte had been found dead the night before.
In Fred91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s place, organizers pulled a stuffed toy groundhog from a miniature wooded hut and handed it to a child who called for six more weeks of winter.
Among the groundhogs who made an appearance on the decisive day, predictions were split.
Ontario91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Wiarton Willie called for an early spring while Shubenacadie Sam, Nova Scotia91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s most famous groundhog, apparently saw her shadow this morning as she emerged from a snow-covered enclosure at a wildlife park north of Halifax.
According to folklore, if a groundhog sees its shadow on Groundhog Day, winter will drag on. However, if it doesn91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t spot its shadow, spring-like weather will soon arrive.