them up a little bit. >> and, boom, willard comes. >> willard is such a character. of course, you never knew what to expect. >> we all remember when he dressed up as boy george. >> they asked me who my favorite rock star was and that's what i did. you must remember this. a kiss is just a kiss >> with will armed there are no boundaries and that's usually a good thing. >> i love you. >> boom. here's carmen miranda. there. they are still talking about it. >> that was one of those moments on television that became a phenomenon. >> you didn't think i had fun, you are crazy. >> he loved introducing america to america. >> willard was america in a lot of ways. >> during the inaugural. >> got barbara bush to come over and kissed him. >> thanks. i've been kissed by the best. >> raced back to george and he said i didn't know you knew willard scott, and i said i don't know willard scott. i just love that face. >> i remember smiling from ear to ear for willard at that moment. >> willard. >> he is magnetic. you are drawn to him. >> can you believe this? >> willard was doing the w

thanks, willard. >> thank you, willard. >> wow. >> that's pretty nice. you could ever rock for and our first sponsor was hallmark cards. i remember going out to kansas city and disney sponsored it had for one year. >> did you ever think the birthdays would be as big as they became? >> are you kidding. happy birthday. >> the well, over i think 40,000 birth days, a heck of a legacy, my friend, and speaking of legacy. smait back in the plaza with a little honor we wanted to bestow. >> willard, take a look at this. we do the show at the studio here between 48th and 49th street on rockefeller plaza. no longer, because we are, thanks to the mayor of this city, bill de blasio renaming rockefeller plaza on this particular block this morning willard scott way. >> willard scott way. >> that's very nice. >> that's very nice. >> congratulations, pal. had more fun up there with the police, beautiful police department, the macy's parade, all the good things that we did. it's terrific. >> it's a heck of a legacy and you guys have -- have a little cake down there? >> ye

in the cheers to willard.across the eastern half of the country. today in central park we've already hit 68 degrees. hit that at 12:00 in morning. philadelphia should make it to 69 today and see records through delaware and into new jersey. we're looking at highs about 15 to 20 degrees above average today. tomorrow we're still on warm side and thursday we're on the warm side. we will start to cool off a bit as we go into the upcoming weekend as temperatures go from the 60s back down into the 40s and 50s and even 30s up near buff loy and right back into the above average temp tires as we go into nex >>> good morning. i'm meteorologist bill henley. skies are clearing with the help of gusty winds. mild temperatures, upper 50s, low 60s today. the wind gusting to 30 miles an hour, bringing in colder air. you'll feel it tomorrow morning. tomorrow afternoon, we're back in the mild zone. 55 degrees and sunny skies. rain drops falling on thursday. then gusty winds friday. they'll increase and bring in the cold for the

>> hey, willard, i'm retiring too. >> love you, willard. >> good morning, "today" show! >> we love the "today" show. >> it is 8:00 on a tuesday 15th of december, 2015. what a crowd. what a day. it's absolutely gorgeous outside. we're so happy to haha everybody here. feeling like the holidays. >> it really is. it's exciting. by the way a lot of people still talk about the "star wars" world premiere last night. i have a gift for you. >> oh. >> oh, my. >> may the force be with you. >>>>oh, my gogo. does it work? >> from my own personal light saber collection. >> awesome. >> you're not giving it -- >> yes,`i'm giving it to you becae you're a big "star wars" fan. >> i'm a huge fan. i love it. >> i said it's a real light saber. >> so awesome. thank you. i don't know. >> that's how you turur it on and off. it does make a sound. i don't know how. >> oh, you make the sound. >> i love . >> let's go inside, get a check morales. >> may the force be with you, savannah. >>> well, the republican presidential candidates face off tonight for the first time since the attacks in paris and

in the cheers to willard. certainly will miss you. a look at what's going on across the country. we've got record high temperatures likely across the eastern half of the country. today in central park we've already hit 68 degrees. hit that at 12:00 in morning. philadelphia should make it to 69 today and see records through delaware and into new jersey. we're looking at highs about 15 to 20 degrees above average today. tomorrow we're still on warm side and thursday we're on the warm side. we will start to cool off a bit as we go into the upcoming weekend as temperatures go from the 60s back down into the 40s and 50s and even 30s up near above average temp tires as we go >> and that's your latest forecast. guys is. >> thanks. we'll talk to you in a bit. in the spirit of the holidays inspired fact you won't find the brand pharmacists recommend most for cold and flu relief at the shelf. advil cold & sinus is only behind the pharmacy counter. ask your pharmacist for fast, powerful advil cold & sinus. relief doesn't

willard's office, though, was right here. he had his own office with these windows here and big old roll-top desk in there. on that night, willard came into my office with jim hart and i were just sitting and talking. he brought with him a mason jug like this with what looked like water in here and three cups. he sat down and what we soon learned, that wasn't water at all. that was moonshine that somebody had made and buried 25 years earlier. willard poured us all three cups and warned us drink it quickly before it deteriorated the cup. and so we did. several times. and then we went into the 11:00 show. the likes of which no one has ever seen before and never should again. thankfully, no record of it exists. lord have mercy, what a show that was. willard's always been known as a guy who knows how to make an entrance. let me tell you something, he also knows how to make an exit, too. part of his appeal was you never know what he was going to say or do. like the time because he felt like it, he brought in a violinist to provide

>> hey, willard, i'm retiring, too. >> we love you, willard, from kentucky!>> tennessee lovers the "today" show! ♪ >> it is 8:00 on a tuesday morning, 15th of december, 2015. what a crowd. what a day. it's absolutely gorgeous outside, and we're so happy to have everybody here. feeling like the holidays. >> no, it's not. >> it really is. getting exciting. by the way, a lot of people talking about the "star wars" world premiere last night. i have a gift for you. >> oh, my gosh! >> just what i wanted. >> may the force be with you. >> oh, my gosh. does it work? >> from my own personal light saber collection. >> awesome. >> you're not giving it to me. >> yes, i'm giving it to you because you're a big "star wars" fan. >> i'm a huge fan, i love it. >> luke, you are my father. >> i said it's a real light saber. it's so awesome. >> enjoy, all right? >> how does it work? >> i don't know. i'm going to go practice. >> that's how you turn it on and off. >> it does make a sound, i don't know how though. >> you know what it does, you make the sound. >> i love it. >> let's g

well, we made a toast today to willard scott after 65 years at nbc, and he is our uncle willard. he is. he retired today. and he started out as an nbc page just like regis did, but look, he was in 1950. >> wow. he is one of the people e o just seem to represent america. when you saw him, you felt that everything would be okay. >> he is a completely joyful man. >> yes. he's done 40,000 birthday announcements. here's a little look at what matt had to say. >> on a personal note, we want to say, willard, thank you for caring for all of us, and the first one who has welcomed all of us to the show in our first days and also for being there with a hug or the pat on the back when times were good or bad. solsol willard, so willard, every time we are have seen each other over the past 20 years plus, we have always greeted each other with a hug and a kiss. while i am not there today, as i raise the glass to you, i want to ask al to be my surrogate a all say, willard, thank you and god bless you. >> here, here. >> and don't you love that? >> and matt has the perfect tone. >> and al, too. al

plaza willard scott way. perfect. >> perfect. >> and if you were up until 10:00 last night, and a lot of people were, we aired the live in new york city adele concert. it is the first concert in four years and the first time boyfriend simon was in the audience. >> first time he had ever seen her sing. >> and she opened up with the song "hello" which everybody loved. and then she sang some of her older hits like "someone like you" and she asked the crowd to sing along. let's see. and i'm so mad i'm getting old it makes me reckless it was just like a movie it was just like a song when we were young young" and got the sanding o. check out her reaction. just watch. oh. >> there was some love in that room. >> i am so relieved. that is so her. >> i obviously missed you so much. and i know i've been quiet, i just wanted to come back and surprise you. >> oh, that is so sweet. >> i did stay up to see quite a bit of it, and you had been there and you raved and you haven't stopped. she is the real deal. >> and the thing

captain tug was willard scott. and i sat on willard scott, his baby. the good news. willard has retired, hoda, i am officially the oldest person here at the today show. live strong, willard. >> i hope he enjoys that reretirement in florida. >> this is fun, they did an unveiling and rere-named the plaza willard scott way. perfect. >> perfect. >> and if you were up until # 10:00 and a lot of people were with, and we aired the live in new york city adele concert. it is the first concert in four years and the first time boyfriend simon was in the audience. >> first time he had ever seen her sing. >> and she opened up with the song "hello" which everybody love and she sang the older hits like "someone like you" and she asked the crowd to sing along. and so i'm so mad i'm get old it makes me reckless it was just like a song when we were young young" and got the sanding o. and check out the rek action. just watch. oh. room. that is so her. >> i certainly missed you. and i just wanted to come back to surprise you. >> oh, t

: overnight willard scott became a household name. during coffee or at the water cooler, america would say, "did you see what willard scott did today?" we watched willard have fun across the country and around the world. representative for middle america on this program. i'm the kind of everyman. >> reporter: an everyman who could stop an inaugural parade. he could even stop a jogging president. >> could you believe this? >> reporter: and in the next breath wish happy birthday or happy anniversary to folks who had earned it. at "the today show," he was a friend to all and more than a mentor to al roker. >> if i had not had the blessing of meeting willard scott, then i wouldn't be doing this today. he's been like a father to me. >> reporter: this morning the "today" crew wished happy trails to their retiring friend. >> i'm going over yonder. >> where is yonder? >> over here. >> reporter: a weatherman, but a man for all seasons. harry smith, nbc, new york. >> wishing willard all the very best. that will do it for us on this tuesday nigh

. >> how do you follow two cheers to willard. we'll miss you. here's a look at what's going on across the country. record high temperatures across the eastern half of the country and in central park we already hit 68 degrees. we hit that at 1:00 in the morning. and records through delaware and into new jersey. we're looking at highs 15 to 20 degrees above average. tomorrow still on the warm side. thursday we're o >> thursday, and we'll hold onto the clouds for much of the day. a few peeks of sunshine, and windy day. mild this morning, and low 50s this afternoon, and mid 50s. wind will be an issue this afternoon, and wind advisory today. occasionally, winds gusting between 40 and 50 miles per hour. and be sure that you tie down inflatable santa. the 7-on-7 forecast. mix of sun and clouds and sunshine tomorrow, and rain showers return thursday afternoon. >> and that's your latest >> and that's your latest forecast. guys? >> dylan, thanks. >>> coming up next in the spirit of the holidays, tamron pays it forward, honoring a woman who

harry smith, nbc, new york. >> wishing willard all the very best. that will do it for us on this tuesday fight. i'mcontinues to be a problem in eastern iowa following the heavy rain we got this weekend. plus - the president of the university of iowa is about instructors who aren't ready to teach goes public. and - here's a live look inside the venetian casino in las vegas where nine republican candidates will slug it out in the final "you're watching kwwl, we've got you covered. this is the news at six." good evening everyone, i'm ron steele. and i'm amanda goodman. thanks

i said i don't know willard scott. i just like that face. >> that's the nicest kiss i've had a long time. >> we named our cat willard. but after willard scott because he is so beloved. >> that was so cute that your grandmother just ran up. >> a real kiss. >> a real kiss. she's not afraid to give a kiss here or there. you know? >> we're going to honor willard next tuesday. that will be his last official day. there's this guy named billy eichner. he does this billy on the street thing. he runs down the street and starts yelling at people. will ferrell joined for true tv trivia. take a look. >> oh, will! >> for a dollar, which is better, gold, frankincense or myrrh? >> it's obvious. >> gold? >> it's myrrh. >> who's the one american actress in "love actually"? >> laura linney. >> who's the elf? what's his name? what's his name? >> buddy? >> what's his real name? >> i'm right here! >> what's a better christmas movie, "elf" or "scrooge"? >> "elf." >> can we please be billy on the street? take us along. >> oh, my god. he is s

i said, i don't know willard scott. i just love that face. >> that's the nicest kiss i've had in a long time and i appreciate that. >> did she ever talk about that? >> yes, she does. you know, we actually named our cat -- r.i.p. -- named our cat willard, after a lot of willards, but willard scott because he was so beloved. >> that was so cute, your grand matter ran up and gave a real kiss. >> she's not afraid to give a real kiss here and there, you know. >> we're going to honor willard on tuesday. that will be his last official day. never more fun there's a guy named billy eisner. he does those billy on the street things. >> we love him. >> he's running down the street yelling at people. will ferrell joined him for christmas trivia. take a look at billy on the street. >> who is that? you've got $100 million. >> for a dollar, which is better, gold, frankincense or myrrh. >> it's so obvious. >> which is better, gold, frankincense or mer. >> gold. >> it's myrrh. >> who is better? yes! >> who is the elf? >> buddy. >> what's

at today -- this morning, the anchors shared their favorite willard scott moment. he got barbara bush to come over and kiss him! suddenly i look over and see how bout that i've been kissed by the best. i didn't know you knew willard scott i don't know willard scott i just love that face. nicest kiss i've had in a long time and i appreciate that. his proper send- off ill air on today next tuesday, his last day. still to come on the k-w-w-l news at five... what cops arc doing to packages to try and track down people who are stealing them right off of front porches. and... police are looking r this futuristic thief -- who robs a convenience store on a hoverboard. --------- --------- with some legal action... a judge ordered the two websites can no longer operate in the state of new york... the two have been at the heart of controversy recently - wii opponents arguing it's a form of gambling, or sports betting -- which is illegal in much of the united states. this move in new york could spark changes with fan duel and draftkings across the united states. three major u-s airlines a

dear friend and colleague willard scott is retiring. willard was our weather man here in washington for many years. he worked alongside jim vance back in the '70s. vance will be among those who will be back at willard's remarkable year on news 4 at 6:00 tonight. that's what they had instead of green screen. the "today" show will pay tribute to willard. al roker will be with him on his farm in virginia. huge congratulations. willard was the preeminent weather man before we had weather men. >> yeah. >> cool guy. tom kierein is now the end all and be all. >> there you go. >> you worked with willard for a while too. >> last time i saw willard in the hall here, i said, are you on social media? he said, social media? i don't even have a computer. he's a wonderful guy. we're happy for him. what a wonderful career he's had. this morning we're starting off at storm team 4 radar, didn't have that when willard started. but we have it now. few sprinkles to the east of martinsburg to frederick. they are just sort of drying out now. for the rest of t

scott, and i said i don't know willard scott. i just love that face. >> i'll tell you, that's nicest kiss i've had in a long time and i appreciate that. >> the list is long of those willard scott have kissed over the years. >> barbara bush and willard were kind of made for each other, i'm not surprised that she gravitated towards him. >> barbara bush singled him out, a member of the first family chose to single out america's weatherman, and i remember smiling from ear to ear for willard at that moment. >> we love that man. >> and we're going to honor willard and say a big thank you to him next tuesday morning right here on "today." >> looking forward to that. going to be so fun to look at some of that old footage and reminisce, and willard is like the inspiration of your life. >> he's like my second dad, really, is and he was in the control room in weese et morning this show first went on the air as a page. >> that's amazing. >> we can't wait to do that. a lot coming up next hour. >> that's right. >> the we're making bacon waffle

has a willard story around here, but mine goes back the furthest? >> really? >> yes, i went to raise $10.52 for muscular dystrophy and the kid who won . >>>s this is an nbc news special report. here's brian williams. >>> good day from new york and quickly now to los angeles. a news conference by, among others, the superintendent of schools ramon cortines, about the momentous and first time ever decision there today to close all the schools in the >> based on past circumstances, i could not take the chance as it relates to one student or our staff that serve our students. it is important that in the last four hours, this city, this community, has come together on behalf of our students, our students that are in the regular schools, our students that are in the charter schools, that are authorized by this school board, we are taking all sorts of precaution. our plant managers are walking the campus with law enforcement people. our plant managers and principals, with law enforcement, are looking at all of our schools, small, large we have made sure tha

"( willard jordan / storm survivor ) "...to hear wood buildings cracking, ripping stuff up. all we could do was run to the closet and pray, you know?"around the dallas area, the damage ranges from light to devastaing. eight of the reported deaths happened national weather service now says -- was hit by an e-f-four tornado.donations of warm clothes and food keep coming in to storm shelters all over the area.( jessica bandegas / storm survivor ) "i have no heat, no electricity."it's not especially cozy, but jessica bandegas says she's just happy to have her family with her.( jessica bandegas / storm survivor ) "as long as they're safe, i'm happy with that -- regardless where i'm at."...a sentiment many of the storm survivors can appreciate.( soloman macfoy / storm survivor ) "damages, that can always be fixed, but we are very grateful that everybody is alive."i'm andrew spencer, reporting 3 3 3 3 time for this morning's see it, shoot it, send it picture. this photo comes to us from joy johnson. a beautiful shot of the mountains and clouds. you can send us your pictures and vid

and today we look back at one of our favorite willard moments. >> mr. president, bless your heart. do we love you. >> i remember one of the happiest days of our lives, the inauguration parade. >> during the inaugural. >> 100,000 people on the parade route. >> he got barbara bush to come over and kiss him. >> i think people are so drawn to willard that they want to be part of his orbit and that includes first ladies. >> i see his face and race over and give that face a kiss. >> how about that, i've been kissed by the best. >> and he said i didn't know you knew willard scott, and i said i don't know willard scott. >> i'll tell you, that's nicest kiss i've had in a long time and i appreciate that. >> the list is long of those willard scott have kissed over the years. >> barbara bush and willard were kind of made for each other, i'm gravitated towards him. >> barbara bush singled him out, a member of the first family chose to single out america's weatherman, and i remember smiling from ear to ear for willard at that moment. >> we do. >> and we're going to h

how about that. >> and we even named our cat after willard and after willard scott, b he is so beloved. >> and that is so cute that your grandmother ran up. >> she is not afraid to give a kiss here and, there you know. >> and that is so sweet, and we we will be honoring willard for guy billy eichner,ay. and he does the "billy on the street" things, and he runs down the street and starts to yell at thing, and so will ferrell that?d him >> leo dicaprio. >> oh, come on, will! you have $100 million. and which is better, gold, frankincense or myrrh? >> gold? >> no, it is myrrh. >> and now, for $1, who is the actress in "love actually"? >> laura linney. >> yes! >> and what is the elf's name? >> buddy. >> oh, it is the movie. >> i'm right here. >> she has never seen "elf." >> he is right here. will ferrell. e nd what is a better mo "elf" or "scrooge"? >> oh, can we please be on the billy on the street. can he take us along. >> i want one of those onesies anyway. >> those are -- >> is it inappropriate for a 34-year-old to do that? >> no, because a 51-year-old and a 52-year-old are going to to

after 35 years here at "today" willard is retiring tomorrow. we have a huge party planned. >> that's right. over the years we calculated that willard has helped smuckers wish more than 40,000 americans happy birthday as they reach the incredible milestone of 100 years old, but he's not only famous for birthdays. one of willard's most iconic moments came when he dressed up on a dare for charity as carmen miranda long before there were viral moments, there was willard scott. >> long before matt started cross-dressing, willard was cross-dressing. >> carmen miranda. >> carmen miranda. >> boom, here's carmen miranda. >> what a privilege to have been >> they are still talking about it. that was one of those moments on >> i'll never get that image out of my head. >> everybody was blown away. >> there was a heartfelt reason for doing it. >> i'm a big man of uso. >> we thank you. >> it was for charity. it was to help people. >> if you didn't think i had fun, you are crazy. >> if the internet had existed when willard did carmen miranda. he would have bro

and his family cowered inside a closet. ( willard jordan / storm survivor ) "that sound. i just can't get that sound out of my head." ( willard jordan / storm survivor ) "...to hear wood ripping stuff up. all we could do was run to the closet and pray, you know?" around the dallas area, the damage ranges from light of the reported deaths happened in garland, which -- the national weather service now says -- was hit by an e-f-four tornado. clothes and food keep coming in to over the area. ( jessica bandegas / have no heat, no electricity." cozy, but jessica just happy to have ( jessica bandegas / storm survivor ) "as long as they're safe, i'm happy with that -- regardless where i'm at." ...a sentiment many of the storm survivors can appreciate. ( soloman macfoy / storm survivor ) "damages, that can always be fixed, but we are very grateful that everybody is alive." i'm andrew spencer, reporting -----end-----cnn.scrip t----- in more local news, an off-duty metro police officer and her husband shoot a relative this holiday weekend. north las vegas police are calling it accid

and tomorrow morning the "today" show will pay tribute to willard.er be down with him on his virginia farm. we're going to miss him. >> we are. >> we see him every day in the halls of the front lawn. >> and this can tell some stories. >> oh, he can. >> about the old days. >> oh, yeah. so we've got some crazy temperatures. when is this going to change? >> it is going to change. and it's going to change over the next couple of days. but it's very rare to be this warm. but then to be this warm at 11:00, it's 71 right now in quantico. amazing to be this warm. take a look at temperatures outside right now across our region. we've got some wind blowing. those winds are out of the south at 15 miles per hour. and as you know, that southerly component to the wind always helps to keep us warmer. 67 right now. our average high is 47. earlier today, we were at 70 -- or 69 degrees. 66 right now in gaithersburg. still 69 down towards the fredericksburg area. 71 in quantico. just amazing. now tomorrow morning, we will be a little cooler. but still nice and mild. 57