Central Illinois began its march toward spring, a local weather observer said Sunday.

Dalias Price, a former Eastern geology professor, said despite below-average temperatures and above-average precipitation this winter, March should be a month of mild weather.

“This March will have more ups than downs,” Price said.

Accompanying spring break will be the slow transition into spring-like temperatures. Daylight time will be an hour longer than it was in December, allowing more time for solar heat.

This is a welcome change from February’s 24 days with snow on the ground and five degrees-below-average temperatures.

Charleston received 10.5 inches of snow compared to the average of four inches. The average February temperature was 25 degrees compared to 30 degrees.

After the first four days of February, temperatures plummeted and remained below the average temperatures.

“It is one of the coldest winters I have recorded,” Price said.

Cold air masses from Siberia and Canada have been overpowering potential warm air masses from the Gulf of Mexico.

“The battle between air masses has been won by the Siberian air masses,” Price said.

His records show this winter’s snowfall accumulation has doubled the normal amount.

This month should mean change for the cold temperatures and heavy snowfall.

“It will change. If it doesn’t, the end of the world is near,” he said with a laugh.

Price said temperatures should begin warming next week, progressing toward spring just as November leads into Winter.

“March is a late Winter month,” Price said. “It is like November in reverse.”

The average March temperature is 42 degrees, Price said. On average, three inches of snow falls in March.

Air manufactured in the Arctic will continue cooling the area, but without the harsh cold of past Winter months.

“The Arctic manufacturer is going to run out of steam,” he said. “Or at least out of ice.”

Warm, pleasant spring weather usually does not arrive until April, but Price thinks the extreme cold will pass.

“We’re heading out of the bitter could we’ve had,” Price said. “Or at least I believe so; I am an optimist.”