If the groundhog sees his shadow, it will mean that winter is to continue for six more weeks.
The " Balzac Billy ' groudhog 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).