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Manitoba Merv predicts an early spring

By: Staff Writer

2/02/2010 7:09 AM | Comments: 20

Puppet groundhog Manitoba Merv made his annual appearance this morning and — thanks to the cloud cover — did not see his shadow. That forecasts an early spring.

WINNIPEG — Who needs Environment Canada when we have Manitoba Merv.

The puppet groundhog made his annual appearance this morning and — thanks to cloud cover — did not see his shadow.

"That means an early spring," Jacques Bourgeois, spokesman for the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, said this morning.

Groundhogs back east poked their noses out this morning under sunny skies and, as a result, brought a prediction of six more weeks of winter.

Bourgeois said Manitoba Merv's accuracy rating has been 100 per cent since the interpretive centre opened in 1993 and introduced the groundhog puppet.

"He's always been right — how can he not be," Bourgeois said. "Six more weeks of winter takes us to mid-March, which would be an early spring for us."

Bourgeois said that the centre uses a puppet because real groundhogs in Manitoba are hibernating at this time of year.

"We wouldn't want to disturb them."

For today, Environment Canada says there will be cloudy skies and a high today of -13 C.

The snow that fell overnight is expected to end by noon.

The snow accumulation has resulted in slippery conditions on the Perimeter Highway and most highways leading into and out of Winnipeg.

The highways department reports drivers should take caution if driving on the Trans-Canada between Headingley and Elie.

Poor conditions are reported on Highway 2 from the Perimeter to Starbuck, and Highway 3 from the Perimeter to Carman, and Highway 12, from the Trans-Canada to the U.S. border.

Slippery conditions are also reported on Highway 75 all the way to the U.S. border and the north and south sections of Highway 59.

Environment Canada says there is a 60 per cent chance of more snow this evening, with a low tonight of -17 C.

For Wednesday, the flurries are expected to continue in the morning. The forecast is for partly cloudy skies and a high of -11 C.

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20 Comments

Posted by: Brittany_Thiessen

February 3, 2010 at 10:54 AM

I can't believe he is a puppet! Groundhog Day is pointless. It totally depends on if it's sunny or not and where the sun is located! Besides, there is always 6 more weeks of winter anyways in Manitoba. This tells us nothing new!

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Posted by: scooter

February 3, 2010 at 9:58 AM

This has always been tongue-in-cheek but the movie Groundhog Day is FUNNY! @the mama, just moved to Winterpeg did'ja LOL. Last year, below temps IN JUNE but no LOL, was just plain sad. I predict street cleaning starts 1st week in May (used to be April 1st), long weekend in May lake temps will be degree or 2 above freezing and this summer will again be LOUSY, cold, little rain but a long decent autumn/fall once again. Amazing how much stuff a seasoned vet of MB weather can get done in the 3 months of great weather we get each year and I don't need a rodent to advise me of how weird it's getting. Peta should be happy, weren't they b*tching about the poor tortured Punxsutawney Phil? He does have his own website you know (PunxsutawneyPhil.com) and even has a webcam and I gotta ask, they don't BBQ the thing and get a new one each year do they? Why is Peta so upset then?

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Posted by: hollywood00

February 3, 2010 at 9:42 AM

Everyone needs to RELAX! This is supposed to be fun, not make you angry. Take a deep breath, and if this doesn't make you smile then maybe you shouldn't comment on it?

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Posted by: Dee

February 3, 2010 at 8:48 AM

"Bourgeois said that the centre uses a puppet because real groundhogs in Manitoba are hibernating at this time of year."

Would you like to catch a groundhog???? I think not!

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Posted by: JC

February 3, 2010 at 8:44 AM

littleitaly, a real groundhog can't predict any more accurate than a puppet, it is all about a myth/belief that if that day is SUNNY or OVERCAST. The 6 weeks/month and a half was just sarcasm directed to those who believe in myths in that as long as the myth is general enough it HAS to come true. As to my request for 3"-5" it was a bit short this morning but every little bit helps. CHEERS.

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Posted by: littleitaly

February 2, 2010 at 9:19 PM

Can you tell me how to get... how to get to seasame street??? Predicting the weather with a puppet - sheesh!

Oh and Krobax, six weeks and a month and a half are the same duration of time!

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Posted by: JC

February 2, 2010 at 7:26 PM

bah, just tell the gopher I would appreciate a warm spring with lots of snow. If he can arrange it, every Tuesday 3"-5" work best for our local snowmo club's grooming schedule. An extra 1"-2" Friday night also would be fine, please hold all winds...

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Posted by: babyblue01

February 2, 2010 at 4:31 PM

a puppet... how sad is it that we base our hopes of early spring on a stupid piece of fur wrapped around wood or metal or whatever the heck he's made of. They say he's 100% right every year... heard it on the radio... but I'll believe it when I see it.