A new groundhog is being ushered in to take on the important job of predicting Canada’s long-range forecast every winter. The Town of South Bruce Peninsula has announced a new albino groundhog to become “Canada’s most famous weather prognosticator.” The previous Wiarton Willie died in March last year and since then, town officials have been working to fill some big paws. Officially starting the new role at the 2027 Wiarton Willie Festival on Feb. 2 where he will make his first prediction, the new albino groundhog will help bring community together through shared history of the event that’s lasted more than 70 years. “We know how much Willie means to our community and to people across Ontario and Canada,” said South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Jay Kirkland. “We look forward to watching him settle into his new home and, of course, seeing what he has to say about the weather on February 2.” The tradition has caught the attention of visitors from around the world ever since the festival began in 1956. The groundhog will make a prediction of whether we will get an early spring or six more weeks of winter, depending on if they see their shadow.
