"nbc 10 news" starts now. ♪ >> right now at 6:00, we're counting down to christmas. but it sure doesn't feel like it outside because of the record-breaking temperatures. nbc 10 spotted a lot of people wearing shorts as they made their way around town this christmas eve. who knows when they'll be able to do that again? not everyone is finished with shopping yet. we caught a number of last-minute shoppers hitting the outlets. a many are hitting the roads tonight. a live look in south philadelphia where it's looking crowded as people make their way to their holiday destinations. it feels more like spring this christmas eve between the warm temperatures and the showers we've had today. tonight, we have team coverage

of the countdown to christmas day. glenn, we might be seeing more record warmth this holiday sunday. >> we're going to be seeing perhaps three records in four days. we've already seen two of them. last-minute shopping here in philadelphia. 70 degrees. we hit it before midnight. that makes it a record. 71 official high today, another record, smashing the old one. and we could set another record tomorrow with 70 degrees. then another one on sunday. we beat the record by seven degrees. allentown beat their record by nine degrees. you don't ever hear about stuff like that. some other cities in the east beat their record by even more. it's down to 60 in redding right now. 61 in allentown. but that's still warm for this time of the night.

a few light showers, especially in southern delaware, the area most likely to get more rain tonight. but still more developing down there for tomorrow. as we go through the night tonight, we're not going to see the temperature drop very much. it's not going to be quite as warm as last night, but the chance of a couple of showers. when you get up in the morning, could be another day to wear shorts and t-shirts. we'll see how long that lasts. >> we continue our team weather coverage in penn's landing. randy, not ice skating weather, right? in fact, the rink is closed right now? >> reporter: no, no ice skating today. far too warm and it was raining most of the day. they had to shut the rink down because of this summer-like christmas eve in philadelphia and across the northeast.

♪ as a consistent christmas eve drizzle drowned out the holiday spirit, he did everything he could to get tourists at city hall in the christmas mood. it would be snowing out here if >> it's not bad, because it could be worse. i flayed where an icicle formed about so long and i'm like, wow. and my fingers need a break. >> reporter: record breaking christmas weather. most people were wearing t-shirts and shorts doing last-minute shopping. >> i don't get how it's this hot out. >> reporter: including the haynes family, whose swins just have one wish. >> snow. i don't think that's going to happen, but nopefully. >> reporter: at the blue cross

river rink, no ice skating today. >> we were hoping to skate today, but it's all melted. >> reporter: instead, families watching christmas movies and really nobody here is complaining. >> definitely wasn't expecting 75 degree christmas. >> reporter: even though the rink is closed, there's still a lot to do here. this is one of the beautiful cabins they got, does it feel like christmas in here? >> it does. it's nice in here. >> reporter: what do you think about this weird weather on christmas eve? >> uhhh -- >> reporter: she doesn't like it. >> warm or cold, it still feels like christmas. the spirit is in the air. >> reporter: they've got the spirit here. we'll send it back to you guys in the studio. >> i like that ski resort vibe. here it's feeling more like shorts weather than ski weather and rainy. this is cape may earlier this evening. the warm weather smashing records.

ted greenberg spent the day in ocean city and joins us live. tell us the impact this warm weather is having on that area. >> reporter: for business owners here at the shore, this warm weather has truly been a holiday gift. the day before christmas, brian only needed short sleeves on ocean city's board walk, after driving down from westchester with his dpifd. >> it's december and i'm wearing a t-shirt. it almost feels like spring. >> reporter: they were also bringing back a bunch of johnson's popcorn for christmas. some of those in line there on this mild december 24th were wearing shorts. the manager says nearly two months of warm weather gave johnson's one of the company's busiest years ever. >> people are usually trying to get out of here this time of the year and go to florida. >> i think we're getting a lot

of people doing day trips. they take the day off and come down. >> reporter: at john and patty's restaurant, the owner says they've seen a 30% spike in business. and on this day before christmas, tom fallon hit the beach with his dog, rita, dressed for spring. >> my younger years i think i would have liked the cold weather. as i get older, i think i like the warm stuff. >> reporter: fallon told me he can still get in the christmas spirit dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. he said just give him some eggnog, he'll be just fine. i'm ted greenberg, "nbc 10 news." >> thanks, ted. many people are still making their way home tonight. here is a live look at 30th street station where no delays are reported right now. we did see crowds at the malls today. you can take a look at all those

cars, christmassy procrastinators out in full force. here is a look at the last-minute shopping rush. >> reporter: there was some push and shoving. but they closed the stores here, and all of them excited about the warmth in the air and the season and to finally cross that last gift off their list. >> stocking stuffers. maybe toys r us a little bit. >> reporter: or the most expensive. >> an xbox, unfortunately. >> reporter: or the most important person on their list, for last. >> my mom, the only one left. >> reporter: did you find it yet? >> no, not yet. >> reporter: last-minute deal stealers got a special gift of warm weather from mother nature. everyone in warm spirits, ready

to celebrate with family. >> it feels great. i know people are waiting last minute to get their stuff done. >> reporter: with that, the excitement, the countdown is over. the stores all locking their doors. merry christmas and remember, if it's not the perfect fit, well, happy returns on saturday. i'm cydney long, "nbc 10 news." some good news for anyone whvia fedex. good news, they will ship christmas day in some markets. church services are under way on this christmas eve. ♪ nbc 10 at the cathedral basilica, st. peter and paul, this is from the 5:00 service.

there is another service at 7:00, one in spanish at 9:00 and the midnight mass at 11:00. ♪ kids in our area have to wait until tomorrow morning to see what santa left them, but the jolly old elf is busy delivering gifts to boys and girls on the other side of the world. norad is tracking santa and his sleigh. right now he's approaching algeria. he was just in tunisia, moving. so far, santa has given up more than 3.5 billion presents. count on us to track santa as he works throughout the evening. he'll have to shed that heavy coat by the time he gets here. turning now the pennsylvania's budget battle. the decision whether to approve a last-ditch spending bill is now in the governor's hands. the bill was signed this

morning, but it does not include the increase in public school funding. republicans want the governor to sign it and stop the borrowing, layoffs and service delays. wolf could veto it, but a decision isn't likely before monday. pennsylvania is going on nearly 177 days without a budget, the longest budget impasse in state history. tonight, philadelphia police are on the hunt for a man who went on a tire slashing spree. video shows that suspect walking a dog in the lawndale section tuesday morning. you can even see him slash some tires in the video. police say the suspect hit a total of 16 parked cars on hellerman, she willborn and oakley streets. [ sirens ] the sound of sirens, but there's no emergency here. we'll explain how they play a role in a holiday homecoming for a local service member.

plus, an outpouring of support for a local family who nearly lost it in a fire. how a community came together to help them out this christmas eve. plus, we could see some more rain and record breakers this holiday weekend. a look at what to expect in my forecast. our team of meteorologist also bring you updates around the clock to help you make your plans. this is the best block of all.

it's like candy cane lane. i know. oohhh. oh, holiday ferris wheel. i kind of love it. look at those reindeer. jeffrey, you're awfully quiet back there. i was just thinking... maybe it's time we finish this test drive and head back to the dealership? that is so jeffrey... soooo jeffrey... so jeffrey... oh. elves.. it's practically yours. but we still need your signature. the volkswagen sign then drive event. zero due at signing, zero down, zero deposit, and zero first months payment on a new passat and other select models.

new at 6:00, an outpouring of support. today, a delaware community came together to help a family in desperate need. earlier this week, we told you about the fire that destroyed a family's home, leaving five children facing a bleak holiday. but we've watched a tremendous community outpouring. and george spencer was there when fire crews delivered the donations today. >> merry christmas. thank you so much. [ applause ] >> reporter: this emotional delaware father could barely say thank you enough, wiping tears from his eyes as he was

comforted by the fire chief. we watched an abundance of community support hand delivered by firefighters on this christmas eve. >> it's overwhelming, and you saw tears, but they were tears of joy. >> reporter: just back on monday, many of those same firefighters responded to chris scarborough's home as hit burned to the ground, captured in this video. it was a total loss for scarborough, his wife and their five children, just before the holidays. >> you look back and you're like, that's my house. it doesn't seem real at all. >> reporter: after the fire, these firefighters decided they had to do something, so they put the call out on social media and from there, their plan grew beyond what any of them expected. an overwhelming response? >> absolutely. the community heres a gone above and beyond. >> reporter: the fire chief says

donations came from as far as maryland and pennsylvania. and today, fire department families sorted donations and wrapped gifts. they delivered the community's outpouring in grand style. this father, grateful for every donation, more grateful that his family is arrive to share it. >> i want the world to understand this is materialistic stuff. these, my daughters, my sons, my wife, that's what's important. >> reporter: and in the family's temporary living room tonight, a break holiday has been transformed into one of abundance, thanks to the caring of this community. reporting in newark, george spencer, "nbc 10 news." from our jersey shore bureau, talk about a holiday homecoming. [ sirens ] today, a firefighter surprised a

family after a nine-month deployment to kuwait. not only was he escorted by police cars and fire trucks, but also santa claus. now your nbc 10 first alert weather with chief meteorologist glenn "hurricane" schwartz. >> sometimes it's hard to believe that it's christmas eve. it is so warm. this is the warmest christmas eve ever recorded. not only in philadelphia but up and town the east coast, even into parts of canada. the records have been smashed all over the place. we have some rain coming in on christmas day. not an all-day thing and not as heavy as yesterday. we have some changes next week. we'll be seeing some cold weather come in. 70s are going to be gone. well, the roads generally dry right now. certainly compared to last night at this time. 67 degrees, winds south-southwest at 7 miles per hour.

and the temperature in the 60s everywhere except for pocono. and a lot of places got into the 70s during the day today. and that's pretty late in the season for that. we're still pretty warm. atlantic city at the board walk and beach haven, 67 degrees. we set a record yesterday before midnight. the record today smashed it. 70, we may set a record tomorrow where you have a good chance of setting a record sunday, the only day. we're not going to do it saturday. we had some rain earlier in delaware. now another round is coming in. while there suspect that much going on around philadelphia, a lot of clouds around and more rain developing down here and moving up, again, later tomorrow. here's the future cast showing more rain, showers during the

evening hours, parts of delaware in extreme south jersey. there is a chance of a shower in parts of the area. tomorrow, generally in the afternoon and evening, that's when this next batch of showers is going to be coming through. although the computer models disagree with that a little bit. and then saturday, another batch comes in and the bigger storm is going to come on tuesday. unseasonably warm tonight with a few showers and fog. 58 degrees for the low. during the day tomorrow, near record warmth and some rain coming in during the afternoon and evening. cooler weather on saturday. the eagles have a chance of rain, but it's going to be rather mild. and even warmer during the day sunday. we may set a record and then we cool down monday before we get some heavy rain. tuesday, maybe some sleet north and west. we're following breaking

news. route 70 is shut down in both directions because of a crash. take a look at this live picture from our traffic camera. you can just see that backup cars at a stand still. this is part of route 70 that is shut down in cherry hill, camden county, new jersey, because of this crash. coming up, we'll see if malcolm jenkins can get inside their heads this weekend. that's next.

this is sports desk, brought to you by xfinity. >> hi again. while this is christmas eve, tomorrow will be eagles-redskins eve. while you may be welcoming family, friends and cousins to town, washington's cousins is on his way, as well. talking about kirk cousins. he accounted for five touchdowns in a win over the bills this past sunday and led the red skins to a comeback win over the eagles in week four. chip kelly is certainly impressed. >> obviously they getting great quarterback play right now. kirk cousins is outstanding. he's very active. when you watch the tape, the thing that stands out is his accuracy. he's extremely accurate with the football. it's always putting it in the right location. >> the holiday is a great time to be reunited with old friends,

right? maybe not in this case, desean jackson did not play in the first two meetings because of a hamstring area, but he had four catches for 122 yards last season, eliminating the eagles from playoff contention. >> reporter: we saw when desean jackson came back here he was fired up. is there a way to get in desean's head? >> i don't know. but i think just like anybody, he's going to come in fired up, but we'll be fired up just as well. so i'm not worried about him having the edge with energy. >> eagles game day kickoff at 7:00 and joining us after for game day finals. some key eagles still nursing injury.

>> now the 76ers who made some interesting roster moves, reacquiring smith from the pelicans in exchange for two second round draft picks. smith played 25 games for them last season. the club has waived tony rhoden to make room. >> marquee morris suspended two games for throwing a towel during the head coach last night. that's sports. we'll be right back.

when you're on hold, your business is on hold. that's why comcast business doesn't leave you there. when you call, a small business expert will answer you in about 30 seconds. no annoying hold music. just a real person, real fast. whenever you need them. so your business can get back to business. sounds like my ride's ready. don't get stuck on hold. reach an expert fast. comcast business. built for business.

we're tracking santa. he was just hitting the ivory coast. he's given out 4 billion presents so far. nbc 10 will be tracking him the entire night. he's moving. of course, people leave out hot chocolate.

it's going to be warm, santa. see you back here at 11:00 tonight. developing news tonight. a state of emergency after a ferocious tornado outbreak tears through several states. at least 11 people are dead, including a 7-year-old boy. entire neighborhoods destroyed. panic at the mall. gun fire erupts on christmas eve. a police officer shoots and kills a gunman inside a store as frightened shoppers run in fear. winter summerland. late december and temperatures in the 60s and 70s across much of the country. the warmest christmas ever. shorts and t-shirts, a day in the park instead of by the fire. and holy night. celebrations in bethlehem, at the vatican and around the world. "nightly news" begins right now.