Shorts weather this Christmas, scattered showers — FIRST ALERT FORECAST

Not only are we in for a snow-less Christmas, but the temperatures are going to be leaps and bounds above normal.

Before most New Yorkers even woke up Thursday morning, the city set a record for the hottest Christmas Eve in recorded history.

The high was 72 degrees in New York City today – flawless weather for ice skating in Bryant Park in short-sleeves, or running in the Brooklyn Bridge Park in shorts. The previous record was 64 degrees in 1982.

The temperature was 71 degrees by 10 a.m. and was expected to climb to 74, Buccola said. In fact, we’ll likely smash the record highs today as the numbers press toward 70 this afternoon!

It will cool off a little overnight, and Christmas Day will have a high of 60 degrees and a mix of sun and clouds. Scattered Showers (30-40%). High temperatures in the mid 70s.

The warming ocean waters in the tropical Pacific alter the weather patterns around the globe.

Only far northern parts of ME and parts of the upper Midwest will have snow on the ground on Christmas Day.

The National Weather Service forecasted a chance of rain throughout the daylight hours, with areas of fog and a high of 69 across the state. “It has nearly everything to do with El Niño and the stratospheric vortex”.

“New York City and Baltimore are some of the cities that could break records yet again on Sunday before a cold front washes away the warmth”, Lada said.

“The holidays are a time for joining with friends and family, and the record number of people traveling this holiday should make for a joyous travel season”, AAA President and CEO Marshall Doney said in a release.

As of Thursday night, 14 deaths in Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas had been linked to this severe weather, in addition to scores of injuries.

There has been snowfall on only about 6 percent of Christmas Days over a 123 year record, according to the NWS. “The very mild conditions will continue into the new week”.

This year’s milder weather also benefits avid stargazers. “(We) are prepared to respond to any request for assistance”.

With rain and unseasonably warm temperatures in the forecast for this week, the odds of having a white Christmas on Friday are “lower than average”, according to the National Weather Service.

Martin said there’s been a strong ridge of high pressure that’s been “more or less stationary” off of the East Coast pumping in warm air, plus another low pressure system located over Lake Superior – and combined, they’re bringing tropical moisture northward.

Minor flooding is occurring and is expected to continue.

Monday | Wintry mix of rain, snow, sleet.