Alberta’s weather‑predicting mascot, Balzac Billy, predicted six more weeks of winter on Feb. 2, 2026 — a forecast that, if borne out, would affect Lacombe and other parts of Central Alberta. The prediction took place at approximately 8:00 a.m. MST at the Blue Grass Nursery and Garden Centre in Balzac (Rocky View County), north of Calgary.
The mascot is a human‑sized character resembling a Richardson’s ground squirrel (often called a gopher). Balzac Billy emerged from a large burrow during the annual Groundhog Day event and was reported to have seen his shadow after emerging, a traditional sign that suggests winter will continue rather than giving way to an early spring.
The forecast came amid an unseasonably warm spell for parts of Central Alberta. CentralAlbertaOnline reported on Jan. 28, 2026 that Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Justin Shelley expected daytime highs in Lacombe and the region to climb to around 5–6°C in late January, creating a sharp contrast with Billy’s “six more weeks” prediction.
CityNews Calgary and Global News both reported on Monday morning’s event and the shadow sighting. The Balzac Billy character was created in the 1970s by former CFAC radio program director Jim Kunkel; the annual appearance outside the Blue Grass Nursery — hosted in part by the Balzac Business Community Association — continues as a local tradition and lighthearted way to mark Groundhog Day.
