Tonight is the lighting of the National Christmas Tree at Presidents Park in Washington, D.C. and near perfect December weather is expected. Even with temperatures around 10 degrees cooler than Wednesday, highs will be almost 15 degrees above average in the nation’s capital today. With a forecast high near 60 degrees this afternoon, readings will drop to the upper 40s for the lighting at 7 p.m. EST.
Preparations for the ceremony have been on-going for months. Nearly 20,000 people are expected in attendance to watch the lighting.
You ready to get lit, @TheNationalTree? Let's do this >> https://t.co/L8zumEEjg9. 🎄🌟 #NCTL2016 #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque pic.twitter.com/RFZMP04OB0
— National Park Foundation (@NationalParkFdn) December 1, 2016
The magical day is finally here! We're just waiting on thousands of special guests for #NCTL2016! #GoParks #NationalMallNPS #NatlParkService pic.twitter.com/98B58GFdMS
— President's Park (@PresParkNPS) December 1, 2016
ONLY 1 MORE DAY UNTIL #NCTL2016!!! I’m so excited, it's hard to contain my needles! 😁 #FindYourPark pic.twitter.com/9W9NaKNqdH
— 🎄The National Christmas Tree🎄 (@TheNationalTree) November 30, 2016
You can watch the lighting of the National Christmas Tree live online at the White House’s youtube channel.
Last year, above average temperatures were felt as well with highs near 50 and a tree lighting reading in the middle 40s.
Watch at the 6:50 mark to see me shine bright while @AndraDayMusic serenades me! https://t.co/IAhuk6JnR2 #NCTL2016 #FlashbackFriday
— The National Tree (@TheNationalTree) November 18, 2016
Reminiscing about all the amazing talent that surrounded me at last year's lighting. #TBT #FindYourPark pic.twitter.com/Jr3v64qhjF
— The National Tree (@TheNationalTree) November 17, 2016
93 years ago, the first National Christmas Tree was erected and lit by President Calvin Coolidge on Christmas Eve. The ceremony has been ongoing yearly since 1923.
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels