Think late January, when winter had been relatively mild so far, and it was easy to start looking toward spring — then February rolled along and changed the game.

This month brought with it record-low temperatures and snowfall across much of the United States, and this weather is impacting auto markets, as well, especially in the auction lanes.

According to the latest “Beggs on the Used Car Market” video report, Black Book’s editorial director Ricky Beggs said the past week’s extreme winter weather is impacting the auto markets.

“It is winter and we expect cold weather, but certain parts of the country have gotten more than their fair share. Even some of us in the Deep South had temperatures that registered in the single and low teen digits along with a couple of days of frozen precipitation,” said Beggs. “But in today’s market there are few exceptions where the weather actually stops a physical auction completely, as the ability to run an online and physical concurrent auction still will get cars sold.”

And though the show must go on, most of Black Book’s survey of auction personnel referenced the increasing cold.

That said, they also acknowledged overall sales percentages being very good, and a market that is holding steady, Beggs pointed out.

Last week, of all price changes made, just over 39 percent of those were price increases.

Beggs pointed out since the first week of the year, every week since has had over a 30-percent price increase rate, with three weeks approaching the 40-percent mark, which he said is a “great indicator of positive activity.”

The car segments saw prices drop by an average of $59 this past week.

Although six of the 10 car segments Black Book tracks had smaller price declines than the prior week, the premium sporty cars (-$213) and prestige luxury cars (-$147) tipped the scale.

And even though the overall car segment decline was up a bit from the previous week, Beggs said it still experienced positive change year-over-year.

Shifting gears, the truck markets “continue to be steady and stable overall since the first of the year,” Beggs said.

That said, a couple of SUV segments continue to see larger-than-average price drops.

During this week’s video, Beggs also touched on the topic of his impending retirement. The Black Book editorial director and senior vice president will be retiring on April 1 after a 34-year career.

Though the weekly video reports from Beggs will have to end, he assured viewers market insight will still be provided.

The newsletter series that will replace the video report will be titled “Black Book Market Insights.”

“It is designed to combine all of the timely, accurate vehicle valuation data that you've come to rely on Black Book for, with additional analytical insight that will help you make profitable decisions for your business each day,” said Beggs. “Every week the report will offer you a direct link to dealer sentiment at the auctions, in addition to broader economic trends that are shaping the automotive market.”

To see the latest "Beggs on the Used Car Market" video report, see above.