ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's state climatologist Bill Murphey recalls the snapping of trees under the weight of ice during an epic storm in January 1973. It left an estimated 200,000 people without electricity for several days.

But unlike the '73 storm, which was followed by a blast of cold air, warmer temperatures are in the forecast for Georgia by Thursday afternoon. The National Weather Service projects a high of 48 degrees in Atlanta on Thursday and 51 on Friday.

Murphey said the weather setup for this week's storm is similar in some respects to winter storms in January 2000 and January 2005.

The 2000 ice storm left more than 500,000 homes and businesses without electricity.

The 2005 storm knocked out power to 250,000 homes in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.