Groundhog Day 2026: Willie and Fred will appear while Sam will not

Shubenacadie Sam's Groundhog Day event in Nova Scotia was cancelled because of winter-storm warnings and unsafe driving conditions, while Wiarton Willie in Ontario and Fred la Marmotte in Quebec were still scheduled to emerge and make their traditional predictions.

Shubenacadie Sam's Groundhog Day event was cancelled in Nova Scotia because officials warned of a winter storm and unsafe driving conditions. Wiarton Willie in Bruce County, Ontario, and Fred la Marmotte in Quebec's Gaspésie were still scheduled to emerge and make their traditional predictions. Environment Canada issued winter storm and snowfall warnings for much of northern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, with forecasts calling for up to 25 centimetres in some areas. The day also includes Lucy the Lobster in Barrington, which has been used since 2018 to mark a local lobster festival. Known details: - Shubenacadie Sam's public appearance at Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, about 50 kilometres north of Halifax, was cancelled due to blowing snow and potential unsafe travel. - Wiarton Willie (Bruce County, Ontario) and Fred la Marmotte (Gaspésie, Quebec) were reported as still scheduled to emerge on Groundhog Day. - Environment Canada issued winter storm and snowfall warnings for much of northern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton and forecasted up to 25 centimetres in some areas. - Lucy the Lobster in southwestern Nova Scotia's Barrington is also scheduled to make a prediction as part of the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl festival since 2018. - The Groundhog Day tradition has historical ties to medieval European beliefs about animals indicating an early spring. Summary: The weather-related cancellation reduced public activity for one of the noted Groundhog Day sites while other ceremonies proceeded as planned. Undetermined at this time.