Toronto residents enjoyed the warmest December on record and the mild temperatures have continued into the New Year.

The mercury hit 9.2C on Monday, beating the previous record of 9.1C set in 1979.

The spring-like temperatures also meant the lowest December snowfall in the city's history.

"We can honestly say that winter hasn't really come to the GTA and southern Ontario," David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, told the Toronto Star.

"In the last six weeks there has been an unusual lingering warmth. We have only had two days that have actually been tough days."

Not having snow on the ground is an unusual scene for Toronto in January.

December was almost 5C warmer than normal, and the month saw numerous balmy days and more rainfall. Revellers ringing in the New Year endured heavy rain as temperatures hovered several degrees above freezing.

The forecast called for a high of 6C on Tuesday, and temperatures were expected to reach 9C by week's end.

Torontonians basked in the warmth during the holidays, often seen in shorts and T-shirts while enjoying outdoor activities.

Business booms and busts

More than just enjoying the weather, people are making the best of it to earn more money.

Construction workers are pleased with the ability to stay on the job.

"We would have been laid off by now. ... It extends our work season," one construction worker told CTV's John Musselman on Tuesday.

Window washers are also cleaning up, thanks to the mild temperatures.

"It has been amazing. I've been keeping myself busy and keeping myself out here working. I like it," one man said while suspended from an office highrise.

But a snow-free winter has not translated into an economic boost for everyone.

Ski hill operators have been forced to shut down ski lifts on numerous days.

The balmy temperatures have also caused headaches and frustration for icewine makers who need the mercury to drop to at least -8C before they pick their grapes.

The warmth is costing the industry millions of dollars, said Paul Speck, owner of Henry of Pelham Winery in St. Catharines.

"This is probably one of the largest icewine harvests on record in terms of what was initially left out in the vineyard, so, yeah, we're very, very concerned about it and we hope that the temperature drops soon," Speck told CTV's Canada AM on Tuesday.

He said his workers were only able to harvest grapes on one night, in the first week of December.

"We have, in the past, harvested as late as the middle of February, but at this time of the year, every day that we go, we lose yield," Speck said.

"Right now we feel that we've probably lost about 50 per cent of the crop."

Climate change

Phillips would not attribute the mild temperatures to climate change.

"It's wrong to look at one year in isolation and say `Oh my God, our climate is totally changing,' because the next year we may be buried in snow," he told the Star.

"That's why I think that playing the climate change card doesn't work. It may be (the cause).

"In 20 years from now we may look back and say we were silly, it was climate change and we couldn't make the call."

On the street, some people are beginning to wish for at least a little bit of the white stuff.

"I used to think this was great, but I would like a little bit of snow," one man said Tuesday.

With a report from CTV's John Musselman