Montreal weather: Quebec groundhog Fred la Marmotte predicts early spring

February 2, 2024

in Canada

Reading Time: 3 mins read

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It’s a bittersweet Groundhog Day, the primary after the 2023 demise of Fred la Marmotte, as a third-generation rodent prognosticator proudly took his place within the Gaspé to foretell an early spring.

“The brand new Fred is prepared,” groundhog spokesperson Renée Laurendeau advised the Gazette from Val-d’Espoir earlier than the occasion. “(He’s) sleeping proper now, getting all of the energy that he wants to have the ability to make a pleasant prediction.”

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Fred made an look Friday morning for simply a few minutes in heavy blowing snow. He was surrounded by youngsters, one in all whom confirmed off some nice dance strikes, and a cheering crowd. Handler Robert Blondin held Fred aloft and declared: “Vive la nouveau marmotte! Vive Fred!”

Fred’s verdict is the primary from the 18-month rookie. He’ll now return to his quiet enclosure to sleep out the remainder of winter.

In keeping with Groundhog Day lore, if Fred will get spooked by his shadow and hides, winter will proceed for no less than one other six weeks. If he doesn’t, it means an early spring.

Superstar groundhog Shubenacadie Sam slowly waddled out of her tiny barn in Nova Scotia and likewise predicted an early spring, as did Punxsutawney Phil in Gobbler’s Knob, Penn., the scene of the most important and greatest identified Groundhog Day celebration in the US. The mayor of Wiarton, Ont., conferred with groundhog Wiarton Willie and his “shadow cupboard” earlier than predicting — you guessed it — an early spring.

In the meantime on Feb. 2, Montrealers can anticipate temperatures round zero underneath primarily cloudy skies. At night time, a low of minus-8 C. The weekend is trying sunny and delicate.

The Canadian Press and Related Press contributed to this report.

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