Groundhog Day 2011 to Let Punxsutawney Phil Bring Relief?

Groundhog Day 2011 is coming tomorrow. Although Groundhog Day 2011 might not have ideal conditions, Punxsutawney Phil always makes his predictions through any weather. This year, his audience will have small hope that he actually won't see his shadow, and bring winter to a mercifully quick end. In fact, at this rate, he might look naïve and foolish if he actually predicts an early winter finale. Either way, Groundhog Day 2011 is just another normal February 2 for Punxsutawney Phil, before he gets to rest for the next 364 days.

For most of the year, Punxsutawney and Phil get to live anonymously in Pennsylvania. But on every February 2, the town and its most famed animal come out of the shadows, to look for shadows of their own.

For Groundhog Day 2011, the country is more on edge than usual, given the terrible winter. But the Northeast isn't getting the worst of the current blizzard so far, as the Midwest has been pummeled this time. As such, many areas across the nation will hope for some kind of relief.

Punxsutawney Phil can't be influenced by the people's wishes, of course. He is an impartial weatherman, no matter how many citizens don't like what he says. That makes him no different from any other human this time of year.

However, Groundhog Day 2011 puts Punxsutawney Phil on a different spotlight than any human weatherman. He has the most unique system in the world, as he doesn't go by computers or high tech projections. All he has is nature and the elements on his side, even if they don't always work in his favor.

After he gets through with his predictions tomorrow, Phil can take a rest for the rest of the year. In that manner, he is like Santa Claus, as they both work all year for just one day of work. Still, Santa Claus might have more intense preparations to make before his big job.

Yet Groundhog Day 2011 puts Punxsutawney Phil under a more glaring spotlight, since he has an audience. Santa Claus gets to work in the shadows, and doesn't allow children to see him on Christmas. But Phil doesn't have that anonymity, as the eyes of his town, and the nation, will be studying his every move.

By dumb luck, Groundhog Day 2011 falls during a major storm across the county, so Punxsutawney Phil has to share the spotlight tomorrow. But those who are busy shoveling snow will pray for any sign, whether from Phil or not, that their long cleanup is almost over.

Sources

Seattle PI- "Groundhog Day 2011: Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?"

NPR- "Can Anything End This Groundhog Day Of A Winter?"