Groundhog Day: Six more weeks of winter David Wylie, Canwest News Service Published: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 Thousands of people gathered Tuesday to watch as Punxsutawney Phil emerged to make his yearly Groundhog Day prediction in Punxsutawney, Penn. "As the sky shines bright above me, my shadow I see beside me, six more weeks of winter it will be," announced his handlers, dampening the hopes of an early spring. Canada's most famous groundhog, Wiarton Willie, was also spooked by his shadow Tuesday morning. And Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam also concurred. Sam, who calls Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park home, was the first of the furry forecasters Tuesday to weigh in on the weather. Six more weeks of winter is great news for snow-starved Vancouver Olympic organizers who have been crossing their fingers for snow, but the rest of Canada may not be as pleased with Sam's prediction. Environment Canada's forecasters seem to backup the groundhogs' consensus, predicting colder than normal temperatures in the east, but warmer temperatures in the west. Alberta's Balzac Billy's prediction is expected later. Legend has it that if a groundhog emerging on Groundhog Day does not see its shadow, it will leave the burrow - a symbol that winter will soon end. However, if the groundhog sees its shadow, it will retreat into its burrow, meaning winter will continue for six more weeks. The holiday began in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore. In 2009, the three groundhogs also agreed winter would stretch six more weeks. In 2008, however, the animals were splintered over whether the weather would warm or stay chilly. http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=2512533 --

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