Although most residents in the prairies would conclude that winter is likely going to last another six weeks, the tradition of Groundhogs Day is still prominent in many parts of Canada. 

Folklore says that if the groundhog sees its shadow and returns to its burrow, the animal is forecasting six more weeks of winter. If, however, the groundhog stays out of his burrow and does not see his shadow, it suggests an early spring. 

This year was a toss-up for Canadian groundhogs, as two teamed up to predict an early spring, and another passed away before making his prediction. 

Fred la Marmotte, Quebec’s furry resident had no vital signs on Wednesday night and likely passed away during hibernation. 

A group of children stepped up to take his place and predicted another six weeks of winter. 

Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam and Manitoba’s stuffed groundhog Merv echoed this sentiment when they both saw their shadows. 

Meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada, Terri Lang, says she tends to agree that winter will be sticking around for a while. 

It is Saskatchewan and our springs usually don't set in until sort of April or May,” she stated. “So, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say six more weeks of winter.” 

Debatably the most popular groundhog, the United States, Punxsutawney Phil, also saw his shadow this morning. 

People travel to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to see Phil make his prediction each year. 

In disagreement of six more weeks of winter this year, were Ontario’s Wiarton Willie and Alberta’s Balzac Billy, who both called for an early spring. 

Over in Nova Scotia, the celebration looked a little different when Lucy the Lobster emerged from the Ocean to see her shadow. 

Lang added that while she does not expect to see an early spring, residents can expect to see more average temperatures for the month of February. 

“February is one of those months where we can still get a lot of cold weather, so folks should kind of be prepared for that,” she stated. “The longer range forecast initially had sort of said it was going to be colder than average for February, and now we're kind of seeing the models back off a little bit on that and saying, there's a better chance it'll actually be closer to average.  

“That doesn't mean it won't get cold, it doesn't mean that we won't have warm spells, but at the end of the month when things are added up, there's a better chance it will be closer to average temperatures.”