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Record Warmth On Christmas Eve, Followed By Rare Full Moon

BOSTON (CBS) – This Christmas has already been a record breaking one, and there's more to come.

We broke the record high in Providence, R.I. at 4:25 a.m. … yes, 4:25 a.m.!

Check: Weather Blog | Current Conditions | Share Photos

Talk about impressive warmth. Records will continue to fall from Maine to Texas on Christmas Eve as temperatures run 20-30+ degrees above normal for this time of year.

Christmas Blog
(WBZ-TV Graphic)

How rare is it to hit 70 in December? It's tough to do, but it's been done before several times. Many of the 70+ temps from the dates below also occurred during strong El Nino events. Coincidence? I think not!

Now, it will take some time to get there today in some spots. It's all about a warm front slowly lifting northward. Some low clouds, patchy fog and lingering showers and patches of drizzle accompany it, but once that wind shifts around to the southwest it's off to the races.  Add in a break or two of sun, and we'll see 70, no problem.

FULL COLD MOON GUIDING SANTA'S SLEIGH

There'll be no weather related problems for the big guy in red tonight – hope he packed a pair of shorts in his sleigh since temps may still be around 60 at midnight.

He'll get some extra help guiding his sleigh too, thanks to the Full Cold Moon! Clouds may break apart a bit too, so you'll be able to see this rare sight tonight and tomorrow morning (but not again until 2034!).

We may make another run at record highs again on Sunday (although it's not as clear cut as today). Along with this surge of warmth comes rain, arriving after 8 p.m. Saturday, lasting into Sunday morning, with some scattered showers after that.

Christmas Blog
(WBZ-TV Graphic)

So where's Old Man Winter? Out west. Winter lovers are psyched about this season - they're measuring the snow in feet!

WHERE'S THE SNOW?

Our first chance of some wintry weather comes next week. A shot of cold air moves in Sunday night and Monday – highs will only top out in the upper 30s Monday. That'll feel frigid compared to what we've seen the rest of the month.

That cold air sets us up for a potential burst of snow then sleet before a changeover to rain on Tuesday as the next storm pushes through. This many days out, it's too early to nail down specifics – but it's one to watch.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! Thanks to Pamela Gardner and our freelancer, Dave Epstein for working.

I'll see you again Monday morning for WBZ This Morning starting at 4:30 a.m.

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