If you have any faith in the weather forecasting of a groundhog, you can expect an early spring this year.

Today is Groundhog Day and Manitoba Merv who resides at Oak Hammock Marsh did not see his shadow.

According to tradition, if the groundhog sees his shadow on February 2nd, we can expect six more weeks of winter. But, if he does not see his shadow, as was the case this morning, we can anticipate an early arrival of spring.

That could be welcome news for many, as southern Manitoba just came through the coldest stretch of the winter thus far.