Fred la marmotte (French: Fred the Marmot, lit. 'Fred the Groundhog') is a groundhog located in Val-d'Espoir near Percé, Quebec, whose behaviour is used to predict weather on Groundhog Day. [1] Fred is the official groundhog of Quebec for Groundhog Day predictions. [2] The name "Fred la marmotte" is passed to a succession of groundhogs, that are replaced as they retire or die. [3]
According to the tradition of Groundhog Day, if the enlisted groundhog sees its shadow, then spring will be delayed; if it does not see its shadow, then spring will be early. [4]
Fred was the only groundhog located on a World Heritage Site to be used for Groundhog Day weather prediction. [5]
The original Fred, "Gros Fred" ("Big Fred"; also called "Fred Sénior" [2]), was engaged from 2010 to 2017 and again in 2019; his son "Petit Fred" ("Little Fred") stood in for the 2018 event. [6] The succeeding Fred, son of "Fred Sénior" ("Fred Senior", the original Fred) was found dead on February 2, 2023, coincidentally on Groundhog Day. [7] [2] The next year, a new Fred predicted an early spring. [3]
2010 | "Late spring" [8] |
2011 | "Late spring" [9] |
2012 | "Late spring" [10] |
2013 | "Long winter" [11] |
2014 | "Early spring" [11] |
2015 | "Long winter" [11] |
2016 | "Late spring" [12] |
2017 | "Early spring" [13] |
2018 | "Early spring" [14] |
2019 | "Late spring" [4] |
2020 | "Early spring" [15] |
2021 | "Early spring" [16] |
2022 | "Late spring" [17] |
2023 | "Long winter" [11] |
2024 | "Early spring" [18] |
Fred la marmotte (French: Fred the Marmot, lit. 'Fred the Groundhog') is a groundhog located in Val-d'Espoir near Percé, Quebec, whose behaviour is used to predict weather on Groundhog Day. [1] Fred is the official groundhog of Quebec for Groundhog Day predictions. [2] The name "Fred la marmotte" is passed to a succession of groundhogs, that are replaced as they retire or die. [3]
According to the tradition of Groundhog Day, if the enlisted groundhog sees its shadow, then spring will be delayed; if it does not see its shadow, then spring will be early. [4]
Fred was the only groundhog located on a World Heritage Site to be used for Groundhog Day weather prediction. [5]
The original Fred, "Gros Fred" ("Big Fred"; also called "Fred Sénior" [2]), was engaged from 2010 to 2017 and again in 2019; his son "Petit Fred" ("Little Fred") stood in for the 2018 event. [6] The succeeding Fred, son of "Fred Sénior" ("Fred Senior", the original Fred) was found dead on February 2, 2023, coincidentally on Groundhog Day. [7] [2] The next year, a new Fred predicted an early spring. [3]
2010 | "Late spring" [8] |
2011 | "Late spring" [9] |
2012 | "Late spring" [10] |
2013 | "Long winter" [11] |
2014 | "Early spring" [11] |
2015 | "Long winter" [11] |
2016 | "Late spring" [12] |
2017 | "Early spring" [13] |
2018 | "Early spring" [14] |
2019 | "Late spring" [4] |
2020 | "Early spring" [15] |
2021 | "Early spring" [16] |
2022 | "Late spring" [17] |
2023 | "Long winter" [11] |
2024 | "Early spring" [18] |