Groundhog Filimon misses holiday, foretelling extended winter

Groundhog Filimon from a farm in the Leningrad Region did not wake up on February 2, breaking a ten-year tradition. His sleep is interpreted as a sign of a late spring.

Apr 18, 2026

Groundhog Filimon at The Snow White«s Shelter in the Leningrad Region did not emerge on Groundhog Day, breaking a decade-long tradition.
Source:
The Snow White«s Shelter

At The Snow White«s Shelter farm in the Volosovsky District of the Leningrad Region, a groundhog named Filimon failed to emerge from hibernation on February 2 for the first time in ten years, coinciding with Groundhog Day. The information appeared on the institution»s Telegram channel.

According to tradition, if on a sunny day a groundhog emerges from its burrow and is frightened by its shadow, winter will last another six weeks. If there is no shadow, spring will come early. This year, the animal altered this ritual.

Filimon is sleeping, which means that for the next 6 weeks, until March 15, there will be no spring,

the message states.

The shelter staff acknowledged that given the peculiarities of the current winter, Filimon«s forecast seems logical, albeit disappointing.

Meanwhile, in St. Petersburg, abnormal cold continues. The average daily temperature on February 1 reached -16.7°C (2°F), setting a record for the entire winter. Today, February 2, the thermometer stopped at -8°C (18°F), and this temperature will persist throughout the day.