Alberta’s Balzac Billy predicts six more weeks of winter
Posted Feb 2, 2024 9:20 am.
Last Updated Feb 2, 2024 9:23 am.
It’s not the news we wanted to hear, Alberta’s own Balzac Billy is predicting six more weeks of winter.
Just before 8:30 a.m. Friday, a crowd gathered outside the Blue Grass Nursery and Garden Centre to await the man-sized mascot.
Anticipation was building as attendees chanted “Billy! Billy! Billy!” and waited for good news.
Popping out of a mound of soil, he teased the result, taking time to stretch after a long hibernation before flipping sunglasses over his eyes.
Southern Alberta’s own then pulled out a snow brush from his den, which was met with boos from the crowd.
But, there is hope as, according to The Weather Network, Billy has just a 42 per cent success rate since 2004.
Results across North America are nearly evenly split — Billy, Manitoba Merv and Barrington, N.S’s Lucy the Lobster have all predicted six more weeks of winter, while Ontario’s Wiarton Willie, Quebec’s Fred La Marmotte, Nova Scotia’s Schubenacadie Sam, and Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil have said spring is on the horizon.
