--- title: "Instead of Predicting Length of Winter, Groundhog Simply Dies" description: "The Canadian province of Quebec's own spring-predicting groundhog lovingly nicknamed \"Fred la marmotte\" (groundhog in French) unexpectedly passed away." date: "2023-02-02" modified: "2023-02-03" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/predicting-length-winter-groundhog-dies" categories: - "Science & Energy" tags: - "groundhogs" - "the digest" - "weather" --- # Instead of Predicting Length of Winter, Groundhog Simply Dies ![The Canadian province of Quebec's own spring-predicting groundhog lovingly nicknamed "Fred la marmotte" (groundhog in French) unexpectedly passed away.]() *\Image: Getty Images/Futurism\* ## RIP Fred Having a groundhog predict the end of winter is a tradition shrouded in Pennslyvania Dutch superstition, which dates back hundreds of years. And while science casts doubt on whether the lowland creatures are actually able to predict a late spring by seeing their own shadow, it's a comforting ritual. Except in one tiny town in eastern Quebec, Canada, which had a little less luck this year. The province's own spring-predicting groundhog, lovingly nicknamed "Fred la marmotte" (groundhog in French), unexpectedly passed away before he was able to predict the remaining length of winter. "As they say, in life, the only thing that's certain is that nothing is certain," the event's organizer Roberto Blondin [said]() in a [somber yet surprisingly dramatic announcement video](), which has since gone viral. "Well, this year it's true," he added. "It's true and it's unfortunate. I announce to you the death of Fred." https://twitter.com/sarahleavittcbc/status/1621139698608640001 ## Shocking Loss The creature, according to Blondin, likely passed away in the late fall or early December when it was still hibernating, the [*CBC* reports](). "It was somewhat of a surprise — they had a whole event leading up to his prediction only for his death to be announced," the *CBC*'s Sarah Leavitt [tweeted](). The premature passing leaves a major question for meteorologists and groundhogs alike: when will Quebec experience its own spring? The answer came courtesy of a child holding a stuffed groundhog toy at the event: six more weeks of winter — which is arguably only appropriate given the funereal circumstances. Fortunately, for the rest of the continent, Fred is survived by a [veritable army]() of weather-predicting groundhogs. In Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil — the most famous among them — saw his own shadow, also predicting six more weeks of winter. ## Lucy the Lobster It's not even just groundhogs that are predicting the weather. In Nova Scotia, Canada, a crustacean called Lucy the Lobster [corroborated]() the prediction that we will have a least six more weeks of winter. For now, Canada enters a day of mourning as the country recovers from the shock of hearing that Fred la marmotte has died. "Canada lost a real one today," one Twitter user [wrote](). "Rip Fred. Your services will never be forgotten." *Updated to correctly refer to the hometown of Punxsutawney Phil.* **READ MORE:** [Sudden death of Quebec's Fred la marmotte casts a shadow on Groundhog Day]() \[*CBC*\] **More on groundhog:** *[PETA Wants Punxsutawney Phil Replaced by a Robot]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()