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 ' groundhog 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]