Fred la marmotte
Groundhog in Quebec, Canada, that celebrates Groundhog Day
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Usage of Fred
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]
Succession of Freds
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]
Past predictions
| 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] |
| 2025 | “Long winter”[19] |
| 2026 | "Early spring"[20] |