john elliot will have more on the forecast in just a moment but cbs 2 scott is live with an update on the weather there. >> at bryant park they are actually taking a break from the skating to clear the ice and as you can also see it's been so warm today some of the ice here has actually melted and they are having to wipe away the express water. it's been that kind of a day. >> it was a morning like no other. >> it's too warm. >> mark it down people this is the warmest december 24th morning ever in new york city. act accordingly. >> i would take my clothes off and jump in the nearest pool i could find. that's the way i feel. the nearest pool. i'm ready to go. >> it's not unheard of to see this kind of stuff this time of year. instead we have this. people in short sleeves, short shorts and bare legs and boots.

>> short sleeve shirt on, i have some jogging shorts on. >> you are all prepared for a new york winter. >> yeah it's a little soupy outside but 70 degrees at 8:30 in the morning at the end of december when you can go ice skating at bryant park dressed like this? folks here say they'll take it. >> totally surprising. first time in a long time. no coats on christmas eve. >> folks we've never had a december 24 like this in new york city. ever. let me tell you. here we go. consider this john elliot's christmas present to you. live at bryant park today. >> and the wink too. thanks so much. we've smashed the high temperature records for the day. so john how warm will it get? we got people who want pools today. >> i'm thinking how am i going to wrap this gift because this is my gift for you right now temperatures ranging from 59 to

above normal. we are shooting for 74. as noted we have already smashed the record of 63 set back in 96. 74 makes it feel like a may day. we are not alone. new records. central park, laguardia. it is going to be a sweet day. how long do the temperatures stick around? we'll talk about that and maybe a little rain for santa. that's coming up next. people who want to put off their christmas shopping are scrambling to find gifts and deal with the last minute rush. live at macy's in harold square with more, i la na. >> if you still have to buy christmas presents you are definitely not alone. 6:00 this morning expecting a huge rush of last minute shoppers and people have been

on christmas eve thousands are packing into macy's on christmas eve and starting to check off list lists. vicky has been on a shopping spree for hours buying presents for her entire family. >> you do this every year. >> guilty as charged. >> and she's definitely not alone for many this is a tradition. >> macy's is out of control. >> why did you wait until christmas eve. >> i started early but still go up until the end. >> ashley has never waited this late into the season to buy. >> who are you shopping for? >> a little for my d'arnaud then for myself. >> but she admits showing up early this morning was well worth it to beat the crowds. >> will you do it again next year? >> honestly yes 100%. when i come early the store is packed and a lot of people, but today it's smooth sailing.

and some tell us they have never seen such good bargains. >> 6% off which is quite big. >> i would say i saved a good $700. >> shoppers are also taking advantage of this warm weather. >> when is the last time you went christmas shopping in short sleeves? >> probably never. i can't remember. never. but i'm enjoying it. >> some admit 70-degree temperatures aren't what they had hoped for. >> doesn't feel like christmas. >> not at all. it's actually a little scary. i kind of miss the snow. when it snows i don't want it and now i don't have it and wish it was here. >> there's definitely no snow in new york city. it feels absolutely incredible out here. if you still have shopping to do you have a few hours. many of the mainly retailers will stay open until 5 or 6 tonight. cbs 2 news. >> thank you and if you thought

christmas eve the airports are just as packed with last minute travelers rushing to catch their flights. jan yell is live at laguardia airport with that part of our coverage. >> i was talking with one of the police officers and he said you can feel the difference in the mood compared to yesterday which was very chaotic with all of the canceled flights. today a lot more relaxed as people rush to get home for the holiday. >> from the tiny to the furry to the stylish travelers like 21 month old sofia. most admit they are apprehensive about flying this christmas eve. >> i'm always anxious. >> a little nervous. i checked the news this morning. i saw you on t.v. this morning. >> thank you for watching. >> and i was like okay i'm good. >> travelers last night not as lucky. the soggy foggy weather causing countless delays and

some stranded at the airport overnight as what they describe as agonizing hours stuck on a tarmac. >> no one ever showed after three and a half to four hours on the plane. we didn't know if we could trust we were ever going to get off the ground. >> today some long lines but most flights appearing on time. talia's dad is optimistic. >> it's been easy. we were surprised given the delays and bad weather today. hopefully it will be smooth sailing. >> really smooth. >> no delays. >> none whatsoever. >> gregory meeting his grandfather. >> we were worried. we came early. >> now they are heading home to long island thankful and looking forward to a home cooked meal enjoying the holiday together. >> christmas dinner we have manicotti, sausage and peppers,

>> so you are excited. >> i can't wait. >> they had us hungry talking about all of that christmas dinner food. the good news this afternoon is that most flights are on time but we have seen a few flights delayed about a half hour so make sure you check with your carrier before you head out to the airports this afternoon. reporting live from laguardia airport. jan yell burrell cbs 2 news. for many peach it's more about giving. many served up holiday cheer to strangers in need. >> god's love we deliver their motto to serve those that need a helping hand. with chef caps on chicken rice and eventuallyies were served with a smile. >> knowing helps us so much. >> more than 1,000 volunteers across the city to cook pack and deliver meals to those that

for themselves. >> god's love is the leading provider for people living with severe illnesses. >> people who are living with h.i.v., aids, cancer, alheimer's, parkinson's disease, kidney failure, heart failure, 200 different diagnoses. >> 4500 meals delivered today in nearby hudson county in new jersey and the city to those with dietary needs. >> we do meals specifically for them. >> many of the volunteers come on a weekly basis. >> i had retired and didn't know what to do and my daughter knew about god's love. and now i wouldn't stop coming here ever. i still when i leave the building still walk out on clouds. >> you can still be a part of today's giving by going on line. >> sponsor a winter feast meal for $10 each. that's a whole holiday meal

>> santa sent out some of his helpers early. children delivered city meals on wheels. >> i think it's really nice to give food to those who can't get food for themselves and i like to give it to them. so yes and it's fun. >> today's giving hands remind us that these acts of kindness are needed not only around the holidays but year round. meg baker cbs 2 news. >> how adorable are those kids. let's take a look at the birth place of jesus all waiting nor christmas--for christmas eve mass in the area. looks like a beautiful night too. >> there is more ahead on cbs 2 news at noon. tornadoes and wild weather ripped across the southern and western states. today the clean up begins. [ music ] >> we'll give you a back stage elf the musical. >> and we are tracking santa as he makes his rounds.

heading to india ready to get on scale here around midnight. >> i wish i was with him. hi i'm scott from japan. we'd like to say happy holidays and seasons greetings to all of our friends and family in the new england area and my parents in bristol, connecticut. happy holidays.

at least 9 people are dead after record temperatures severe storms in the south. powerful tornadoes leaving toppled trees and dozens of people hurt. omar reports. >> this tornado in clarksdale, mississippi was one of several across the southeast yesterday. >> i'm thankful that our lives are saved. >> tim escaped injury but there's little left of his mississippi home. >> just trying to salvage our clothes that are still dry. >> the storms destroyed dozens of houses and knocked out power to thousands. rain and hail made driving hazardous. this twister in nearby holly springs tossed several cars into the air killing a seven- year-old boy.

interstate 55 flipping a tractor trailer onto it's side. and in pope county, arkansas an 18-year-old was killed when a tree crashed into her bedroom. the weather is shifting east today. survivors are grateful for what they still have. >> i'm going to sit in my house tonight and think about there's people that are not going to have a house to go to. >> the same areas could see more severe storms on christmas. omar cbs 2 news. >> it's something else out there. still to come this warm weather perfect for mediterranean in today's dining deal.

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at noon. we are checking in with santa from our good friends at norad. he's leaving india and now to pakistan. get to bed because he's on his way. >> very nice. the classic holiday film elf is on theater in madison square garden. >> it takes you from the north pole to new york city for a story kidnd adults will love. there's a look behind the scenes.

story of buddy the elf who just like in the movie was a baby living in an orphanage up until santa stops by for a visit. he crowleys into santa's bag of gifts and was taken to the north pole. >> he was raised by elves and he decides it's time for him to go to new york to meet his real father so he travels from the north pole through the lincoln tunnel. >> he tries to fit in with life in the big apple and discovers love with his girl who has lost all of her christmas spirit. >> in meeting buddy she regains all of that and lets her heart open up because of him and his excitement about christmas. >> we went back stage. >> our job is to bring the show to life through movement and dance. the show has an incredible score. great live big band music. >> here's the quick stage

ready throughout the show. >> they have amazing helpers. these are beautiful elf shoes with a twist at the end. >> so walk with caution. >> exactly. >> here we are in the ward robe room. this is where all of the costumes guilt their maintenance. all of the wigs get prepped for the show. >> there were 95 wigs because the characters are constantly cbs 2 inches. >> and elf only runs for a few more days until december 27. so many wigs. >> a lot of changes. let's get to john elliot with a eve. >> i'm sure hoping santa brings me a new hair piece. i'm getting a lot of comments. hey observations of mild readings 65 to 70 to 71 from neal staten island clouds over

i bet that's storm steve 64 and more mild readings up here. this is 66 and kind words from mike from slate hill. best wishes to the folks who put together the best newscast in new york cbs 2 news at noon we appreciate that. beautiful fog shot from charlie. i really like this in clinton, new jersey. pretty picture but this time of year you wouldn't expect that. fog but very mild. dealing with light rain in and around the city. scattered showers showing up on radar, the observation out at the park 71 degrees. 63 north and west, 51 the cool spot in the hamptons. 15 degrees warmer than we were, smashing the record for 60 plus degree days in the month and on average december has been running 12.2 degrees above normal so we are on track to go down in the books as the

average of 50.9 and that easily beatings 2001. that's what we are talking about. light rain and drizzle. showers and rain filling in for month mouth ocean county and the front bringing wet weather to parts of the south and snow to the plains and not going to see any of that. future cast just to get you through the day. a break by 5 and evening services at midnight should be fine. numbers are mild and dry. here's a hint of drizzle tomorrow morning south it's better and brighter to the north and another shower chance late on christmas and then we have to leave the chance for rain saturday and sunday. then it's the rollercoaster. 74 today, 10 degrees cooler tomorrow tying the record. cooler still saturday. then back in record territory sunday and quite a bit cooler monday and tuesday. >> doesn't really feel like christmas. >> does for me, look around. >> your tie, very festive. >> thanks john.

flavor. >> here's tony with this week's dining deal. >> on the upper west side a mix of mediterranean and modern israeli cuisine with the chef's special touch. baked fresh in house in a clay oven. i started with five small bites ranging from salmon and caviar to classic hummus perfectly accompanied by rosemary and sage flat bread. >> tell me about that dish. it's beautiful. >> golden red beets roasted and glazed with a glaze after parts. >> for $15 it's also stacked with kale and pears.

but with a spiced lamb kabob so it's a nice spice. >> tell me. >> i knew it was when i saw it. >> this is basically north african tomatoes sauce with different flavor. everything is in there. >> delicious. this generous serving is for one for only $13. >> this is our chicken pita. we have some chicken and some pickled mango sauce with chopped tomatoes and our homemade french fries and the last one, flat bread made in house freshly so options like this one mushroom and apair gus and cheese in there. this is for $13 also. >> i love it i really do. thanks for having us here.

we'll be right back.

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>> they need to have christmas on the death star too. enough star wars nor now. how about we track santa clause. he is headed to uzbekastan. he has billions of toys left and will be making his way to the states shortly. >> doing it quickly. breezing right past those countries. that's it for us. i'm andrea grymes. >> i'm chris ragie. have a very merry christmas