In he Southeast, including Virginia, forecasters expect the second-hottest on record. The spring like air has broken November-December routines in ways that are mostly welcome, but sometimes disconcerting. At Reston Town Center, dozens of office workers and shoppers rolled up their sleeves, donned sunglasses and relaxed on patio chairs. This is just wonderful. At Reston Ice Skating Pavilion, the warm weather has been a mixed blessing.
Business is up, but keeping the ice has been tough.
Homeowners also were adjusting, doing home-improvement projects usually reserved for spring. But the heaters are sitting on the shelf. In Chicago, where it has been mostly sunny and in the 50s and 60s for the last 10 days, bikers and runners have swarmed jogging trails, and downtown benches and parks have been filled with people eating outdoor lunches, many in shirt sleeves. The dry, temperate weather has provided no relief for farmers, however. The mid-Atlantic region is gripped by a drought entering its sixth month that has dried up streams, threatened the water supply in some areas, and increased wildfires.