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Canada’s groundhogs call for early spring

Feb 2, 2021 | 4:42 PM

Originating in the early 1800s, Groundhog day is a timeless tradition that usually has a lethargic rodent popping its head out to tell us if we will see more winter or not.

However, that’s not really the case here in Northern BC. Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen plenty of winter and according to Bobby Sekhon, a meteorologist with Environment Canada says that looks to continue, in the short month of February.

” To start February, we’re seeing a cooler trend, that’s likely to continue into the second week of February. The longer-range models are less this time of year, so more uncertainties for northern BC and the Yukon to be colder than average. Prince George is kind of sitting on that seasonal fence, on whether it’s going to be near average or below seasonal temperatures. It’s something that we are going to have to monitor this going forward. ”

The Farmers Almanac is also predicting unfavorable wintery conditions for February. Calling for plenty of stormy weather, and colder temperatures throughout the month.

As we continue into the week, there seems to be no sign of the snow letting up.

“This coming week’s forecast looks to be cooler with fluctuations in temperatures. Wednesday and Thursday are when we’re expecting some snow we’re not looking at a whole lot, maybe 5-10 centimeters, in the Prince George area.”

This time last year, Prince George was a little warmer only by about 2 degrees. So far this year we are sitting the fourth driest and the sixth warmest on record.