Another Winter of Ice, Snow in Store for Georgia?

Still having nightmares about February’s devastating ice storm?

The Atlanta area was paralyzed for days as ice coated roads – trapping some students in schools overnight – and knocking out power to nearly 200,000 households.

Well, enjoy the summer heat and humidity, because a long-range prediction by Firsthand Weather says Georgia could see plenty of ice, snow and rain this winter.

Making it even worse: Georgia and its neighbors will likely experience well-below average temperatures.

Firsthand Weather founder Matthew Holliday says, “The southeastern United States will likely experience well-below average temperatures with many areas across the Southeast getting plenty of snowfall/ice/rain. … This winter across the Southeast will likely be wetter-than-average for most. Because of the cold air that will likely be in place, many regions that typically do not get snow and ice will get it this year.”

The El Niño weather pattern is a bit of a wild card, Holliday says:

If that makes you bang your head against your laptop and look for another opinion, the Old Farmers’ Almanac, which some people swear by, offers similar news: “Winter will be colder and drier than normal, with near- to above-normal snowfall. The coldest periods will be in early to mid-December, from late December through early January, and in mid- and late January. The snowiest periods will be in early and mid-January.”

One bright spot from the Almanac: April and May will be warmer than normal.

So, stock up on supplies this fall, whether it’s firewood, canned goods, liquor or games to keep the kids occupied. We’ve been warned.

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PHOTO: Early forecast models say Georgia residents can expect temperatures below average next winter, as well as more snowfall and ice than last winter. (Patch file photo)