Balzac Billy
Balzac Billy is the "Prairie Prognosticator", a man-sized groundhog mascot who prognosticates weather on Groundhog Day.[1][2] He lives in Balzac, Alberta, 8 km north of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.[3]
According to the legend of Groundhog 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 " Balzac Billy ' groudhog was created by Calgary radio station CFAC program director Jim Kunkel in the late 1970s. Jim sat down with three of the CFAC radio announcers ( Paul Dunphy, Jimmy Hughes and Robin Ingram ) to come up with a Western Groundhog. After trying out a few names Jim Kunkel came up with " Balzac Billy " and the prairie prognosticator was born. Paul Dunphy produced and Jimmy Hughes voiced the first Balzac Billy " live on the scene " radio hits to be played back on the CFAC radio Ned Corrigall morning show ( two versions were produced, one for Balzac Billy seeing his shadow and one for a cloudy day). Since then, a mascot has been added ( because Southern Alberta doesn't have groundhogs ) and Balzac Billy is now a favourite prognosticator across the country on groundhog day. [4]
In 2019 and 2025, Balzac Billy predicted an early spring.[5][6]
In 2022 and 2024,[7] Balzac Billy predicted six more weeks of winter.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Griwkowsky, Catherine (2012-02-02). "Balzac Billy's legacy casts a long shadow". Edmonton Sun. Sun Media. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
- ^ "Watch: Balzac Billy the groundhog to forecast Alberta's spring". Red Deer Advocate. 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
- ^ Maclean, Rachel. "The wacky, wonderful and surprisingly accurate tradition of Balzac Billy". cbc.ca. CBC/Radio-Canada. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "The groundhogs have spoken. Will Calgary see an early spring? | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca. 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- ^ "The groundhogs have spoken. Will Calgary see an early spring? | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca. 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- ^ Melgar, Alejandro. "Alberta's groundhog 'Balzac Billy' predicts early spring". calgary.citynews.ca. Rogers Media. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ Heintz, Lauryn. "Alberta's Balzac Billy predicts six more weeks of winter". calgary.citynews.ca. Rogers Media. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "The Alberta 'groundhog' Balzac Billy just predicted having a long winter". curiocity.com. Curiocity. Retrieved 2 February 2022.