Balzac Billy
Balzac Billyis the "Prairie Prognosticator", a man-sized groundhog mascot who prognosticates weather onGroundhog Day.[1][2]He lives inBalzac, Alberta,8 km north ofCalgary, Alberta,Canada.[3]
According to the legend ofGroundhog Day,the groundhog's behavior is a way of forecasting the weather. If the groundhog sees his shadow, it will mean that winter is to continue for six more weeks.
The original groundhog created by Merle Osborne was replaced and the mascot was created by Calgary radio stationCFACprogram director Jim Kunkel in the late 1970s.[4]
In 2019, Balzac Billy predicted an early spring.[5]
In 2022 and 2024,[6]Balzac Billy predicted six more weeks of winter.[7]
References
[edit]- ^Griwkowsky, Catherine (2012-02-02)."Balzac Billy's legacy casts a long shadow".Edmonton Sun.Sun Media.Retrieved2013-02-02.
- ^"Watch: Balzac Billy the groundhog to forecast Alberta's spring".Red Deer Advocate.2018-02-01.Retrieved2019-10-29.
- ^Maclean, Rachel."The wacky, wonderful and surprisingly accurate tradition of Balzac Billy".cbc.ca.CBC/Radio-Canada.Retrieved2 February2022.
- ^"The groundhogs have spoken. Will Calgary see an early spring? | Globalnews.ca".globalnews.ca.2019-02-02.Retrieved2019-09-24.
- ^"The groundhogs have spoken. Will Calgary see an early spring? | Globalnews.ca".globalnews.ca.2019-02-02.Retrieved2019-09-24.
- ^Heintz, Lauryn."Alberta's Balzac Billy predicts six more weeks of winter".calgary.citynews.ca.Rogers Media.Retrieved2 February2024.
- ^"The Alberta 'groundhog' Balzac Billy just predicted having a long winter".curiocity.com.Curiocity.Retrieved2 February2022.