Space between you and t car in front of you. Then we look for the clouds to break up a little by noontime. Peeks of sunshine. Turns breezy. A High Temperature in the upper 40s. The new years eve forecast and first few days of 2016 just ahead. Emily west is here for lauren this morning. Good morning, chris. Hi, everyone. We have a few things happening. First in clifton, new jersey. Route 3 eastbound by grove street, two lanes blocked with a crash. Thats closing the ramp trying to get on to route 3 eastbound from grove street. Island. Theres a closure here on montauk highway by handy lane. A tree down across the road. More weather and traffic coming up. Thank you very much. Right now the nypd is in the process of locking down times square. Thousands of officers will be at the Biggest Party in the world with the sole mission of keeping everyone safe. Today in new yorks Katherine Creag is there with a rare look at this new years eve preparation. Security is always tight. It seems even tighter this year. Reporter i think this is my 100th year, michael. For the first time, we are in this primo spot, this parking spot here in the middle of it all. You have to see all the stages here. Were just a little closer to them compared to, say, the last five years because weve never been this close. The nypd is allowing us to get this close, at least in the morning. What happens is there is a security sweep right around 9 00 a. M. Then the people get swept. The people who try to get in and get a good spot. You see some of the Police Officers there, some people just kind of hanging around. We also want to show you this video of lastminute preparations. Testing the new years ball, for example. The countdown clock. It is expected 1 Million People will be here tonight for the festivities. Joining them, 6,000 nypd officers will be here as well. Multiple layers of the security. There will only be 14 entrances theyll be in the area around times square. There will be really a security perimeter in this area, enhanced police presence. Once you get here, you wont be allowed to leave and return. You are in it to stay for the celebration. We heard from one of the nypd chiefs just how secure this area will be. Take a listen. We do make analysis of what the terrorists have looked at in the past, and we strategically deploy our officers to areas where there will be large crowds. Reporter and also, again, 1 Million People expected to be here. Compared to last year, michael, it is so warm right now compared to how frigid it was last year. People get here right around 9 00 a. M. Just to stake their spot. Then they have to leave, but they come back and get back into their spot. Theyre in it for many, many hours, as you know. Some people are already Milling Around just to figure out where they can start staying and secure their spot, michael. Everyone once again, no backpacks. Reporter right, exactly. No backpacks, no chairs, no umbrellas, nothing like that. Just a small purse because thats all youre allowed to bring in. All right, kat. In the vip section. Thank you so much. New years eve celebrations actually being cut back or even suspended in a lot of countries because of terror fears. In belgium, there will be no fireworks in brussels after two alleged isis supporters were arrested for plotting an attack. There were more arrests in turkey. Police there say they foiled an attack at the capital. Even paris is cancelling fireworks and scaling back their celebrations as well. Meanwhile, organizers of tomorrows tournament of roses parade say there is no credible threat, but they are not taking any chances out in pasadena either. Security there is also being called unprecedented. More than two dozen federal agencies are teaming up with the local police in the wake of the San Bernardino terror attack. 4 34 right now. Time for weather and traffic on the 4s. That would be nice. Is that what were going to have later on . A little cooler but not bad. Should be close to the 40degree mark by the time we get to midnight. A little breezy. When you think about how cold it can be this time of year, abovenormal temperatures. Thats where we are right now. Fair amount of cloud cover out there. The rain from last night has pushed east of the area. Were waiting on drier air to move in from the west to give us a few breaks in the cloud cover. That should happen later on today. Finally seeing a bit of sunshine. Right now, though, it is mild. Temperatures are in the mid40s in the city. The sky is mostly cloudy. Suburbs not all that much colder either. By noon, were at 47. We start to see sunny breaks. Same thing through 3 00. Gets breezy later in the day. High temperature in the upper 40s. Rest of the forecast just ahead. Lets get an update on the commute early on this thursday morning. We have these subway delays. This is ongoing from yesterday. Switch problems at franklin avenue. The 2 and 4, youll finds delays both directions. Overnight track work on a few if you are wondering about come into times square for the celebration thechbing, modified schedule here metro north, extra trains this afternoon and evening more for new Jersey Transit, lirr, path, extra trains too for this afternoon. Q11 new york city bus is going to be detoured. We have extra service on new Jersey Transit for the buses. And alternate side, meter rules are in effect today. Well have more weather and traffic coming up on the 4s. New this morning, a fatal fall at an historic new york city hotel. A little earlier this morning, a man fell to his death at the four seasons in midtown. Police tell us he fell nine stories. Today in new yorks Tracie Strahan is there. Are they saying anything else . Reporter kerry, theres a lot going on right now. As a matter of fact, we just spoke to a woman who identified herself as the aunt of the victim, says hes 20 years old from new jersey. Police have not yet confirmed that, but they do tell us, as you said, this was a ninestory lets show you some video now of the crime scene unit and detectives that were in and out of the four seasons here on 57th street. Since that body of the man was discovered on a landing here. So far, police have not released the name or age of the victim, but they confirm he fell around 11 00 last night. It was unclear if hes a guest, but again, we just spoke to a woman who said he was here with a friend and trying to take a picture when all of this happened. We also spoke to a witness a short time ago. He said he saw a woman who was very distraught after the commotion, possibly his aunt or his mother, being helped by police. Take a listen. I saw her very like very sad, very she was devastated for what had happened. She couldnt believe it or a shock. She was in a state of shock and barely holding up. Reporter again, we just spoke to a woman who identified herself as the aunt of that she says hes 20 years old from new jersey. Police still trying to work to confirm exactly what happened here, kerry, but that witness we spoke to said they had to bring out ladders and it was very difficult to get to the victim after all of this happened. Back to you. All right, tracie. Thank you. 4 38. New this morning, the nypd searching for four suspects who posed as Police Officers during a carjacking in the bronx. Investigators say these four men pulled up behind their victims vehicle at morris avenue and east 182nd street. They approached the car, all four of them had badges, and what appeared to be protective vests. After ordering the victims out of their 2009 chrysler minivan, one of them got behind the wheel and took off. 4 38 now. Mourners will pay their respects today at the wake of the long island man who died in that Suicide Attack in afghanistan. 31yearold lewis was a Staff Sergeant with the air national guard. To t ce place saturday and it will be at the new beginnings christian center. This morning, we have an update to the breaking news we brought you last night involving a slashing at a mcdonalds. Police still looking for the person who slashed an employee and a customer at the restaurant, 58th street and 3rd avenue last night. It began as a fight with two customers. An employee intervened. Thats when the employee and other customer were cut. Thats crazy because my nephew comes from virginia. Thats his favorite mcdonalds. When he shops at bloomingdales, he comes to this mcdonalds. He might be scared to come. Police did spend hours talking to witnesses. They were checking out Surveillance Video as well in the hopes of finding the attacker. Some members of a local church calling for the removal of their pastor. Hes accused of stealing money from the church. Iampaglia is seen pocketing the churchs offerings. They say after weeks of money coming up short, they decided to hide a camera, and they caught him in the act. Now some of the parishioners would like to know why hes still leading services. In fact, right after he was arrested, the following sunday, i thought hed be too ashamed to come downstairs and preach. He preached. The board actually cant fire him because it is currently involved in a civil lawsuit that was filed two years ago to have him removed. A judge says the board has to wait until after that suit is settled. This morning, bill cosbys free on bond. Its hours after facing a judge for sexual assault. Cosby was brought into a pennsylvania courthouse yesterday. The 78yearold is accused of three felony counts of aggravated indecent assault. It dates back to an incident in 2004. The claims were made by a former Temple University employee, andrea constand. She says she went to cosbys mr. Cosby urged her to take pills that he provided to her and to drink wine. The effect of which rendered her unable to move. More than 50 women are making similar claims against cosby. Its the first time hes been charged. Bill cosby denying all those allegations against him. Tensions growing between the u. S. And iran. That means new economic sanctions against the iranians. We told you yesterday about the iranian test rocket that was fired near a u. S. Navy aircraft carrier. Iran also tested two Ballistic Missiles recently. The white house now arguing iran is violating a u. N. Agreement. Reports say that sanctions will soon target firms that help develop those missiles. 4 41. Turning to politics. Jeb bush once again shaking up his president ial campaign. More bush staffers are going to be sent out into the field, most of them to the key primary state of new hampshire. Insiders say its a mustwin state for bush. Thats where hes feeling the heat from other republicans, jeb bush refocusing his Tv Ad Campaign too. All right. 4 41. Still ahead, what president obama revealed to Jerry Seinfeld seinfeld. Plus, a rough ride. A long flight ends with a trip to the hospital. Some passengers got tossed around by some severe turbulence. And of course storm team 4 has your new years eve forecast. Weather and traffic on the 4s coming up. 46 degrees right now. Youre watching today in new heres four things to know this morning. Police investigating a deadly fall at the Four Seasons Hotel. A man fell nine stories, possibly while trying to take a picture. The irs announcing the 2016 tax season begins january the 18th. The agency also says that nine out of ten tax forms should arrive in less than three weeks. Tonight for the second year in the new year with a special celebration. Several rides will be open. Nine out of ten refunds. Thats what were talking about. And of course, the big celebration taking place in times square. A live report on the preparation straight ahead at 5 00. That would be carson daly. Hell be the host. Its 4 45 on a thursday morning. Last day of the year. A cool day, yes, but certainly above normal temperatures continuing today. We may get some sun in here at last. The normal high for this time of year on this date is 39. Well make it to about 48. Thats what we did yesterday. It happened late at night actually. Looking at the numbers collectively, were not done yet. One last day to put in the books for december. Weve averaged 51 degrees. 13. 3 degrees above the normal for this time of year. Rainfall total above normal by almost an inch. And the old record, byebye. In central park was in 2001 where we were at 44. 1. We crushed this record. This will be the second month in a row weve seen the warmest month on record, meaning last november was. Above freezing temperatures well to the north of the city this morning. A little patchy fog going on out there too. Mid40s across long island. A lot of cloud cover still out there. The rain exiting east of us. Thats pretty good news. Were getting breaks to the west. I think eventually well start to get into some of that drier air as we go through time this afternoon and hopefully get a little bit of sunshine. Something thats really been scarce over the last week around here. Future tracker shows the clouds this morning, then breaking up, then coming back a little around noontime. Well be in and out of clouds. It will never turn, i dont think, totally sunny. At least we get some sun in here. By midnight, 1 00 a. M. , notice just a few patchy clouds around. No rain or snow to worry about as we ring in the new year. Tomorrow, a good deal of sunshine gets us started and sticks around all day for the most part. May run into a few more clouds. As we head into the weekend, same scenario. High pressure takes hold. We will see a stretch of sunny days for a change around here. It gets a little chillier as we go through time into early next week. 48 the expected high around the city this afternoon. The temperatures arent going to go much higher from where they are already. Look for northwest wind at about 8 to 12 miles per hour. Again at midnight when we drop the ball, a few clouds around, breezy, upper 30s. Windchills will probably make it feel like the lower 30s. Again, youre going to be out there a prolonged period of time. 43 tomorrow. A stretch of dry weather, in the 40s over the weekend. Back to the 30s for highs. Unheard of for monday and tuesday. Then were back to 45 on wednesday with a good deal of sunshine. Lets see if there are any early issues for the commute. The volume is not too bad, of course, as it is new years eve. We have a few accidents. An overturned vehicle here, street. A couple lanes blocked. Even the ramp to route 3 from grove street. A live look at the George Washington bridge. A little bit of fog. Looks like the upper and the lower, everything is moving along well. Also, a check by lagarde aguardia airport, the Grand Central parkway. Not too many people on the road, but still a pretty good ride. The cross bronx expressway this morning, no backups, no delays. We dont often see it like that. But that is the way its moving. Well take it. Also on long island, montauk highway shut down around handy lane. Thats closed due to a downed tree this morning. Still have subway delays due to switch problems at franklin avenue. The 2 and 4, you could see some delays there today. Alternate side and meter rules in effect. More weather and traffic coming up on the 4s. Emily, thanks. 4 48. Happening today in st. Louis, the Mississippi River expected to crest at more than 12 feet above flood stage. So far, the water has gone over some areas have been evacuated, while in others, the hope is that sandbags put in place will hold back the water. Missouris governor jay nixon speaking with president obama. He did pledge federal aid to the state. Nixon toured some of the most heavily damaged areas. He says it could be the worst history. Its going to be a while. You dont have this much water over a place where population and businesses and a lot of public assets and you just the water goes down. Its not over. At least 20 people have been killed in cars that have been washed away by fastmoving currents. Meanwhile in the u. K. , dealing with record flooding. A truck driver was among those who needed to be rescued. This is in scotland. The storm also knocked out power to thousands of homes. Experts say this latest round of floods could put the recent right now, police trying to track down the hitandrun driver who shot a Good Samaritan for trying to keep him at the scene. This is Surveillance Video taken moments after shots rang out on crestn to avenue in the bronx. Police say the man smashed his red suv into a parked car around 4 to 4 30 yesterday afternoon. Thats when a witness tried to stop the suv from leaving. He was shot in the neck. 4 50 now. Knicks forward cle anthony early recovering after he was shot outside queens strip club. Six men surrounded the 24yearold and his girlfriend while they were sitting in an uber yesterday morning. The thieves stole his change and shot him in the kneecap. He tweeted yesterday, shout out to you beautiful souls for caring. God works in mysterious ways. A babysitter from Staten Island now facing charges after police say she was caught on the nanny cam abusing a 6monthold girl. 36yearold elena bass allegedly was babysitting her at her home in brooklyn. Police say the parents set up a nanny cam. They say it captured bass violently removing e g ing the girl from a crib and slamming her into an armchair. This morning, the texas teenager known for his affluenza defense after a fatal drunk driving case wont be leaving mexico any time soon. Ethan couch was serving ten years probation for the crash that killed four people. Mother fled to mexico. They were supposed to be extradited back to texas yesterday. His attorney was able to get ethans deportation delayed. It could be a couple more weeks before hes back in the u. S. His mother was flown to los angeles yesterday. A passenger aboard an air canada flight describing her trip as, quote, the flight from hell. The plane left shanghai for trontd toronto but made an Emergency Landing in calgary for turbulence. 21 passengers were hurt. They included three kids. The girl sitting next to me, she was sleeping. She just fly. A little shaken up, but we made it back safe and sound. It could have been much worse. The plane had 332 passengers, 19 crew members on board. In a statement, air canada thanked its workers for their response. It says some of the first passengers have already been released from the hospital. 4 52 now. Still to come, a chance of relief for many students who are struggling with tho