Monday, February 2, 2009

Winter in Toronto 4

Groundhog Mound by Occozzaglia@Flickr



This photo was taken one year ago on February 2, 2008 in Toronto. It is called Groundhog Mound because February 2 is Groundhog Day in Canada and United States.

Groundhog Day is an annual holiday when a small animal, the groundhog, peaks out of its winter burrow. If it doesn't like the weather, it will return to its burrow for six more weeks.

Every year in Ontario, there is a morning celebration in the town, Wiarton. People gather to watch the groundhog, Willie. They want to see Willie emerge from his burrow. It is important whether the groundhog sees its shadow. Why?

1. If the weather is cloudy, the groundhog will not see its shadow. No shadow means winter will soon end and spring weather will soon arrive.

2. However, if the weather is sunny, the groundhog will see its shadow and return to its burrow because it knows winter is not over. A shadow means a long winter and spring will not arrive for another six weeks.

Can you guess what happened in the town, Wiarton today? Well, was it sunny today? Yes? Willie, the groundhog saw its shadow.


I agree with Willie. I think we are going to have a long winter and the snow will not melt yet. I hope you were able to get outside on Sunday. It was the last day of January, but it was a bright day above zero Celsius. I enjoyed a trip to the park with my dog, Lucy. There were other neighbours at the park and we all wished this was the start of warmer weather. Canadians know better! Get ready for the temperatures to dip or go down again.

Would you like to see a picture of a groundhog? Take a look at the groundhog on page two.


About the Photograph

The photo was taken in a downtown neighbourhood called the Annex.
Go to the photographer's site to see The Annex, Toronto (pool of pictures).



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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was surprised by this article. Never before I had heard about this animal's behavior. I remember last year we had a long winter in Canada ,was the weather at Feb 2 sunny?

Anonymous said...

Yes, Mojgan. Last year Willie saw his shadow. I was talking to a retired postal worker and he said he remembers many long winters. He delivered mail in the snow as late as April. I love to ski north of Toronto in March because it can be sunny and mild.

Anonymous said...

It is very interesting day. I think this year is a late spring.
Do you agree or not?

Bonnie Ford said...

If the groundhog, Willie, is right, we will have an early spring. It was a cloudy day and he didn't see his shadow.

Anonymous said...

I think we may have an early or late spring.I'm nat sure.

sinrilla said...

Before I didn't know about Groundhog Day, but now I know what is Groundhog Day. I think spring will come early.

Anonymous said...

I agrry whit animal . bacause I want to be the wintre shor.

sasi said...

I didn't know before about Groundhog Day. We will have an early spring. It was a cloudy day and the groundhog didn't see his shadow. I know now about Groundhog Day.

anosha said...

Maybe it will be a short winter.