By Sarah Tan
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
CENTRAL PARK — New Yorkers bracing for the cold this winter were greeted with record high temperatures Monday, as the mercury rose to an unseasonably warm 70 degrees in Manhattan.
The balmy weather broke a more than century-old record for Nov. 28, after a high of 70 degrees was recorded in Central Park Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
This shattered the previous high mark of 69 degrees set in 1896 and equaled again in 1990.
“It’s like a summer day,” said Omer Salik, 32, who operates pedicab tours at Central Park. “I stand outside all day for eight hours, and this is the perfect day for us.”
Others preferred the uncharacteristic conditions to more winter-like weather in other parts of the country.
“It’s awesome,” said Windy City resident John Allan, 47, as he walked near Central Park Monday afternoon. “It’s supposed to get into the 30s in Chicago. It’s just a nice gift.”
Another out-of-towner expressed shock at the record-breaking warmth.
"It's ridiculously hot," said Georgina Lunn, 30, from London. "We thought it was going to be cold, and we've been sunbathing all day."
The temperature is expected to dip to a low of 56 degrees tonight, with another warm day expected Tuesday including a high of 65 degrees, according to AccuWeather.
Meanwhile, down South, up to an inch of snow is expected to blanket traditionally warmer cities like Memphis by Tuesday, with the temperature plummeting to the low 30s Monday morning in some Southern cities, according to AccuWeather.
The five-day forecast shows high temperatures are expected to stay in the 60s and 50s through Friday, with some rain expected Tuesday but plenty of sunshine after that.
