Wiarton Willie predicts an early spring on Groundhog Day
Wiarton Willie made his spring prediction Thursday morning at 8:07 a.m., and winter may be ending sooner rather than later.
The groundhog did not see his shadow, meaning we could get an early spring.
The annual tradition returned in-person in 2023 and was the first big event for this new Wiarton Willie. The previous prognosticator died in 2020 from a tooth abscess.
This year's in-person event was welcome news to the community of Wiarton which saw a big crowd show up for the Feb. 2 predication.
“It’s been nice to see everybody back,” said Laura Lisk, the chair of Wiarton’s Chamber of Commerce. “People we haven’t seen in a couple of years, for the businesses in town."
“It’s not just tourists that come up,” said Danielle Edwards, the organizer of the South Bruce Peninsula’s Wiarton Willie Festival and Manager of Economic Development. “It’s a homecoming for the community. It’s just a fantastic event, and we’re just thrilled to have it back, live in person, again.”
The festival continues through to the weekend with family events like skating, foosball and axe throwing.
As far as predictions go, Wiarton Willie was alone in calling for an early spring. Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam saw her shadow this morning at a wildlife park north of Halifax, suggesting six more weeks of winter.
EARLY SPRING EXPLANATION
So what’s considered an early spring?
Meteorological spring in the Northern Hemisphere includes March, April and May. However the first day of spring, or spring equinox, is typically closer to the end of March. In 2023 it starts on March 20.
Warmer, or above average temperatures, for the months of March, April and May would indicate an early spring.
WILLIE’S PAST PREDICTIONS
Here are Wiarton Willie’s predictions between 2013 and 2022, compared to mean temperature reported by Environment Canada. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius.
2022
Prediction: Early Spring (new Wiarton Willie)
Average temperatures:
- March: 0.4 (below average)
- April: 5.3 (above average)
- May: 13.8 (above average)
Summary: March had a mix of both warm and cool days, while April and May were above seasonal.
Accuracy: Correct
2021
Prediction: Early Spring (new Wiarton Willie)
Average temperatures:
- March: 2.2 (above average)
- April: 7.0 (above average)
- May: 11.6 (above average)
Summary: Spring arrived in March and by May we were seeing summer-like temperatures in the 20s and 30s.
Accuracy: Correct
2020
Prediction: Early Spring
Average temperatures:
- March: 1.9 (above average)
- April: 4.7 (below average)
- May: 11 (below average)
Summary: March was warmer than usual, but winter stuck around a little longer into April and May.
Accuracy: Wrong
2019
Prediction: Early Spring
Average temperatures:
- March: -2.5 (below average)
- April: 5.1 (below average)
- May: 11.3 (below average)
Summary: All three months were below average.
Accuracy: Wrong
2018
Prediction: Late Spring
Average temperatures:
- March: -1.1 (below average)
- April: 2.2 (below average)
- May: 16 (above average)
Summary: Temperatures were below average into April, but May was above seasonal.
Accuracy: Correct
2017
Prediction: Early Spring
Average temperatures:
- March: -1.3 (below average)
- April: 8.6 (above average)
- May: 11.2 (below average)
Summary: March and April were close to seasonal, and May was just two degrees above the average temperature for this time of year.
Accuracy: Draw
2016
Prediction: Late Spring
Average temperatures:
- March: 2.1 (above average)
- April: 3.6 (below average)
- May: 13 (above average)
Summary: March was a bit warmer than normal, but then frosty weather returned in April before temperatures bounced back in may.
Accuracy: Wrong
2015
Prediction: Early Spring
Average temperatures:
- March: -3.5 (below average)
- April: 6 (below average)
- May: 15.2 (above average)
Summary: March was below seasonal, with April just 0.2 degrees below the average. Things turned around in May with warmer than usual weather.
Accuracy: Draw
2014
Prediction: Late Spring
Average temperatures:
- March: -6.4 (below average)
- April: 4.6 (below average)
- May: 12.8 (above average)
Summary: March was five degrees colder than average, followed by a chilly April. May just squeaked by with above seasonal temperatures.
Accuracy: Correct
2013
Prediction: Early Spring
Average temperatures:
- March: -1.7 (below average)
- April: 5.3 (below average)
- May: 13.7 (above average)
Summary: Each month was within 1.2 degrees of the average.
Accuracy: Wrong
VERDICT
Over the last 10 years, Wiarton Willie was correct four times and wrong four times. It was too close to call in 2015 and 2017.
That gives the groundhog a 50 per cent average when it comes it predicting an early spring or longer winter.
WHAT THE FORECASTERS PREDICT
Though Wiarton Willie has made his prediction, the weather forecasters also have some idea what lies ahead.
CTV Kitchener’s Will Aiello said southwestern Ontario is starting off February with the coldest temperatures we’ve seen all season, which is good news for anyone wanting to get out their skis, snowboards or skates.
Towards the middle of the month, Will said we’ll see temperatures return to seasonal and even above seasonal. That could mean the potential of rain in certain areas of southwestern Ontario.
Day time seasonal highs could be the overnight lows in some cases.
Environment Canada is also weighing in on the spring forecast, predicting average temperatures over the next three months in southern Ontario.
So will we get an early spring? Only time will tell.
— With files from CTV News London’s Scott Miller
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.