Walking in warm-weather wonderland

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- On Christmas Eve, sights and sounds in the city resemble the joyous occasion, but the 70-degree weather feels like anything but a winter wonderland.

"I've been wanting snow since October and I have not gotten it yet," said Amber Schiffner.

With Thursday's temperature, the surface of the Rothman Ice Rink had significant water on it.

"It feels like it's melted a bit, it doesn't feel right," said Alex Stevens.

Apparently the warm air and humidity were conspiring to produce the watery conditions.

"The water is actually from the humidity and atmosphere, some of it condensing on the ice," said Zamboni driver Troy Young.

But Joan Wixted of Bucks County says the unseasonably warm weather didn't melt the meaning of the season.

"It's a feeling. The weather does impact you," said Wixted. "It would be nice to have snow, but it's a feeling. It's what's inside, being with family."

At 6 foot 2 inches Matt Hopkins is the tallest elf we know. At 70 years young he tells Action News he can't remember a Christmas Eve quite like this one.

"I do remember Christmases where it got to 60 degrees, and those were few and far between," said Hopkins. "This is balmy."