No more t-shirts for New Year's Day

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - If I told you that you could wear shorts on New Year’s Day you'd think I was crazy. But that was just what people did almost a year ago.

Many people plan their New Year's Eve weeks or months ahead of time, but it's tough to know what to expect for New Year’s weather.

"Jeez, you know it's New England it seems like it's always different, it doesn't seem like there's-I remember one year where everything was covered with ice..I usually think it's going to be really cold,” said Robin Macks of Northampton.

But last year we were anything but icy or cold. New England ended 2011 and began 2012 feeling more like early spring melting ice sculptures at New Years celebrations in Boston.

December 31st of last year we were in the 40s, last New Years Day we were in the 50s. A mild start to a very warm year.

"I was out in my sweatshirt and at times I saw people out with their t-shirts on, it was just that beautiful out and I wish it was like that again this year," said Juan Santiago of Northampton.

However this year is quite different from last year.

Snow banks tower over cars in downtown Northampton, last years short sleeves have been replaced by snow boots and winter coats.

But unlike other nights of the year, it seems the weather New Years Eve doesn't factor much into the plans for a good time.

“We don't let the weather interfere with what we want to do, our approach is to not let the weather dictate whether we have fun or not,” said Don Miller of Sturbridge.