Groundhog Timka III, residing at the biological station of Kharkiv National University named after Karazin, has predicted that Ukraine will experience an early spring, which is already underway. However, light frosts and snowfall are still possible.
This information was reported by “Interfax-Ukraine”, which published a video from the press service of Kharkiv National University named after Karazin.
For the first time since the inception of the Groundhog Day celebration, it was held in Nesterovka in the Kupiansk region, where there is a biological station for these red-listed animals. Additionally, for the first time, there were no guests or journalists present.
“He says that this year spring has never left. It’s here and will remain. He mentions there might still be minor frosts and a light snow may cover the ground. But spring will come,” interpreted the groundhog’s prediction by Vladimir Grubnik, head of the biological station at Karazin University.
At the same time, Lilia Zmey, the head of the press service of KhNU named after Karazin, stated that “the university’s oracle, groundhog Timka III, has not fully hibernated and is in a state between sleep and activity.”
It is important to note that in 2022, the groundhog house in the Kupiansk district was under occupation. As a result of the stress from combat actions, groundhog Timka and his companions lost significant weight. After the area was liberated, university biologists managed to improve the animals' condition, and they hibernated fully through the past winter.
Recall that in Kharkiv region, groundhogs have been forecasting the weather since 2004. Over the years, three rodents have held the honorary title of oracle: Timka, Timka II, and since 2018 - Timka III.
On February 2, 2023, Timka also saw his shadow, suggesting that winter would last at least until mid-March.