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Ontario's Famous Groundhog Wiarton Willie Predicts an Early Spring
Wiarton Willie and Toronto Zoo's polar bear Hudson predict early spring while Punxsutawney Phil forecasts six more weeks of winter; Willie's success rate is 29% since 2000.
- On Monday, February 2, 2026, Wiarton Willie did not see his shadow, and South Bruce Peninsula Mayor announced an early spring, while Punxsutawney Phil forecast six more weeks of winter.
- Rooted in a 1956 mock press release, the festival marked its 70th edition this year, with Mac McKenzie associated with its origins.
- Awakening at 8:07 a.m., Willie emerged amid chants, and Mayor Jay Kirkland relayed that Willie had not seen the sun during the Wiarton festival morning events including fireworks and a 7 a.m. breakfast.
- At Gobbler's Knob, the crowd booed when Tom Dunkel's Inner Circle reported a shadow, while Wiarton festival attendees responded with polka dancing; Punxsutawney Phil has predicted since 1886.
- There are 88 weather‑predicting groundhogs across North America, including 14 in Canada and 74 in the United States, with reported success rates around 35%–40%, while Hudson the Toronto Zoo polar bear signalled an early spring.
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23 Articles
23 Articles
Don't believe Wiarton Willie: Environment Canada forecasts more winter for Windsor-Essex
Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day, and Ontario's own Wiarton Willie is predicting an early spring. But a more scientific weather watcher — an Environment Canada senior meteorologist — disagrees. According to Geoff Coulson, there's plenty more winter to come.
·Canada
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St Catharines Standard+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
Ontario’s Wiarton Willie predicts an early spring on Groundhog Day — but will it actually happen?
Ontario’s most famous prognosticating rodent, Wiarton Willie, predicted an early spring on Groundhog Day, Monday, Feb. 2. But how does this prophetic forecast stack up to others?
·Welland, Canada
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Ontario's famous groundhog Wiarton Willie predicts an early spring
Ontario's famous groundhog, Wiarton Willie, did not see his shadow Monday morning – which is good news for people tired of wintry weather. According to legend, there will be six more weeks of winter if a groundhog sees their shadow, and an early spring if they don't.
·Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources23
Leaning Left11Leaning Right6Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Left
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources lean Left
58% Left
L 58%
R 32%
Factuality
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