CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — On Monday, people in Champaign took advantage of record-breaking temperatures.

It’s the warmest day of the year so far with unusual highs in the 60s. And it seems like Punxsutawney Phil might’ve gotten things wrong when he said there would be six more weeks of winter on Sunday. Day one of that prediction says otherwise.

People in Champaign enjoyed the nice breeze and sunny skies, going to parks, taking long walks or reading a book outdoors.

“It’s just wonderful to be outside. It feels it feels great to spend as much time outside as I can,” community member Charlie Augustine said.

After going through weeks of well below average temperatures, people like Augustine gave thanks to mother nature for an early spring like day.

“These are hopeful days when it’s nice out again. Kind of gets you motivated for, ‘Yeah, I can do the spring semester, yeah, I still got it. I still got it,'” U of I student Katie Brown said.

Brown said Monday was an opportunity to get out of the house, and it was something she couldn’t pass up.

“I was really excited because my roommate and I went for a walk the other day just because it was 40 [degrees], but it was a little sunny and we were like, ‘Oh, it’s going to be so nice.’ So, we went outside, and it was still freezing. So, the fact that it was actually like sixties, I was like, ‘I can’t stay in here any longer,'” Brown said.

There were many people who followed suit, soaking in the sun before the weather takes another turn.

“You know, sitting here, and then after I finished reading, I’m just going to walk around town and maybe go find a coffee shop somewhere or a bookstore and just be outside. This is wonderful,” Augustine said.

Effingham was the warmest in Central Illinois with a high of almost 70 degrees.