The Groundhog Day predictions are in: Spring is coming…sort of

The most important question on this snowy, nightmare-of-a-commute day: Did the groundhog see its shadow?

According to a roundup of celebrity groundhogs listed here, we can expect spring to arrive in six weeks — or not.

Ontario’s Wharton Willie didn’t see his shadow, predicting an early spring. Balzac Billy didn’t see his shadow either, predicting an early spring for Albertans. (It should be noted that of all the groundhogs mentioned in this article, Balzac Billy is the only one who wears clothes — and has opposable thumbs.)

Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam, however, spotted his shadow, dooming the Maritime province to another six weeks of winter.

"Given the weather forecast and the amount of snow currently on the ground, Sam’s prediction likely isn’t a surprise to most Nova Scotians," said Zach Churchill, the province’s natural resources minister.

Fred from Val-d’Espoir, Quebec, also spotted his shadow.

It should be noted that last year, Wiarton Willie’s prediction was correct. He spotted his shadow — and winter dragged on.

The fact that Shubenacadie Sam and the less famous Winnipeg Willow didn’t see their shadows last Groundhog Day did nothing to hasten spring’s arrival.

Here’s hoping Wiarton Willie is right again.

In the U.S., Punxsutawney Phil — perhaps the most famous groundhog of all, thanks in part to a Bill Murray film that is getting steady rotation on TV today — is predicting six more weeks of winter, while Staten Island Chuck predicted an early spring.

General Beauregard Lee of Lilburn, Georgia, also predicted an early spring. And of all the groundhog forecasters, this might be the one to pay attention to: in his 34 years on the job, the rodent has only been wrong once.

According to National Geographic, groundhogs aren’t really looking for their shadows today. They’re actually starting to scout out the opposite sex in anticipation of mating season in March.

How to meteorologists feel about all the attention these weather-predicting groundhogs are getting today?

"I’ve never met a meteorologist who is anti-groundhog," Chris Scott, chief meteorologist at the Weather Network, told the Canadian Press. ” We don’t feel too threatened.”