Near-Record Warmth Won't Delay Opening Of Millennium Park Ice Rink
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The weather outside is delightful, but the city of Chicago is still planning to open its Millennium Park ice rink tomorrow at noon.
With the big Christmas tree, Santa's house, and the ice rink all on display, Millennium Park is looking like a winter wonderland - because you wonder where the ice and snow are. WBBM's Steve Miller reports.
"Feels like we're in July right now with 70-degree weather," said John Trick, one of the city workers putting the finishing touches on the tree before the lighting ceremony.
The weather is decidedly not-Christmasy lately, with temperatures in the low 70s Thursday afternoon, just shy of the November 17 record of 73 degrees. Temperatures will likely be in the middle to upper 60s when the rink opens tomorrow.
"Yeah but the older I get, the warmer I like it in the winter," Trick said.
A tourist from Minnesota came up to see what was going on and talk about the weather as crews were working on the rink.
"It's unheard of. This does not ever happen. Who has on a T-shirt in the middle of November - in the Midwest?" she asked.
She did.
"Exactly. And I'd have on sandals too if I'd packed them," she said.
Just a few yards away, Matt Nielson, deputy commissioner of the city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, was checking the ice.
"It's a little soupy on top, but once the sun passes the shadows of the buildings, literally, the ponding goes away and it freezes very quickly," he said.
That rink in Millennium Park is set to open Friday at noon. The ice ribbon at Maggie Daley Park won't open until the day after Thanksgiving.
The tree lighting in Millennium Park is set for Friday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.