The resident BC ‘groundhog’ just made her weather prediction

This week’s snow might have melted, but don’t pack away your winter gear just yet, Vancouver. The resident BC ‘groundhog,’ Van Isle Violet, ventured outside after months of hibernation and saw her shadow, which means we’ve got six more weeks of winter left to tackle. On the bright side, though, this means more time to stay cozy indoors or take advantage of these winter activities.

On the morning of Thursday, February 2nd, Van Isle Violet made her prediction.!

As it happens, Van Isle Violet is actually a Vancouver Island Marmot, which is a critically endangered species of marmot that still belongs to the ‘groundhog’ (Sciuridae) family. And while we might not be super stoked about six more weeks of winter, more snow on the ground means a longer cycle for endemic plants, keeping meadows greener for longer.

Recent Posts:
This popular two-day music festival is returning to Metro Vancouver & the lineup is insane
14 delicious spots for cheap breakfast in and around Vancouver

Van Isle Violet is monitored by the Marmot Recovery Foundation, which has been working since 1999 to save the species from extinction. What’s more, the Vancouver Island Marmot population seems to be growing, with an approximate rise from 200 to 258 marmots between 2020 and 2021.

So if longer winters mean these cute little animals have a better chance of prospering, we can definitely get on board with a little more cold weather.

In the meantime, we plan on hitting up some local jazz nights and dessert shops to stay cozy over the next couple of weeks. And a little extra sleep in between is certainly a luxury!