ATHENS (AP) — Georgia's state climatologist says the state can expect a "roller coaster" winter with temperatures jumping between warm and extremely cold.

David Stooksbury said weather patterns will bring extremely cold periods with temperatures diving toward the single digits. At other times, he said warm temperatures in the 70s can be expected.

Stooksbury said he is less certain about the amount of rainfall expected this winter. But he noted that the past 15 winters have been drier than average.

A dry winter would make it more difficult for Georgia's key reservoirs to recover from the stinging drought. And Stooksbury says it could set Georgia up for another drought next year.