Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

ALBANY, GA -- It’s been a frosty new year so far for Southwest Georgia.

But just a few short months ago, we were stuck in a summer of sizzle.

"I just love the summertime," said Louise Kent. "I don’t care how hot it gets in the summertime."

She had a good year in 2010.

According to a new report from the National Climatic Data Center, 2010 tied 2005 as the hottest year in Earth’s history, with temperatures across the globe well above average.

Southwest Georgia was no exception.

"May through September, lots of warmth and yes, we had a very hot summer," said FOX 31's Mike Morrison.

The early days of 2011 have delivered just the opposite – freezing temperatures mixed with snow and ice.

Some enjoy the kinetic climate.

"I like a cold weather and I don’t know that I like a really, really, hot summer but I like the hot summers," said Harold Krantz.

Others aren’t so sure.

"It could very well make someone sick," said Leslie Newkirk. "I know a lot of people don’t want to get up and go to work. Some cars act up. Batteries go dead."

So whether you prefer a very hot summer or a very cold winter or a combination of both, what’s causing these extreme conditions and what are the possible long term effects of all the wild weather?

FOX 31’s Chief Meteorologist Mike Morrison says greater-than-normal changes in ocean temperatures play a large part.

"La Nina is a cooling of the Eastern and Central portion of the Pacific," said Morrison. "It affects global circulation, the atmospheric circulation. El Nino is a warming of the Eastern Portion."

If a powerful La Nina follows a powerful El Nino, the results can be severe.

"When we have an extremely strong El Nino or La Nina, it’s kind of tough for crops or even local people to adapt," said Morrison.