Georgia winters aren't exactly arctic. But February winds often have enough of an icy edge to make you wish for a warm new parka.

These hooded, pullover garments have long been prized in more frozen climates. Over time, parkas' popularity has spread southward into places like Georgia.

And the next few weeks aren't a bad time to buy one.

"As the winter wears on, parkas will be going on sale," said Judy Hibbs, a family and consumer scientist with the University of Georgia Extension Service. "The selection won't be as good as in the fall. But you can get some good buys."

But there are so many styles and makes of parkas. How do you know which is best for you?

Hibbs has some tips to help you decide.

* Decide how much warmth you need. Take into account the climate, how sensitive you are to cold and what you'll be doing when you wear it.

"Generally, the warmer the parka, the better," she said. "You can always unzip a jacket if you're too warm. But you may not be able to add layers if you get chilled."

* Make sure it's roomy enough to allow for layers of clothing.

"Men's or unisex parkas may be too large for small women," Hibbs said. "But their extra-long sleeves are an advantage for tall women. The longer the parka, the more body it covers. All other factors being equal, the more body it covers, the warmer you'll be."

* Thicker fill is warmer. That's true whether the filling is costly down or inexpensive polyester, Hibbs said.

"If you're in a store considering parkas, fluff them up and compare the filling thickness," she said. "Those that have the most loft and are the longest should be the warmest."

With catalog parkas, use temperature designations as a rough guide to make comparisons within the same company.

"This method won't work when comparing parkas from different catalog companies, since the terminology is rarely the same," Hibbs said.

* How it's cleaned has a lot to do with how long a parka will stay water-repellent.

"Parkas that must be dry-cleaned tend to lose their water- repelling ability sooner than those that are washed," Hibbs said.

As a rule, she said, an outer shell of washable nylon or polyester is more likely to repel water after cleaning and is less likely to tear than one of 100 percent cotton or a microfiber.

Other features can affect how happy you'll be with your new parka.

"Some parkas have a zip-out liner," Hibbs said. "You can wear the liner alone, the shell alone or both."

A hood that rolls up and stores in the parka's collar can be convenient, she said, if it doesn't make the collar too bulky. Hoods that zip on and off are more convenient that those attached by snaps.

"The best cuffs are snug, knitted and tucked under a longer sleeve," she said. "They keep out the cold and fit comfortably over gloves."

Most parkas have a cargo pocket on each side that opens from the top and a hand-warmer pocket that opens from the side. "An angled hand- warmer pocket is easier to use than one with a vertical opening," she said.

Parkas may have a drawstring at the waist or the bottom. Both keep warm air in and cold air out. Drawstrings on the outside, Hibbs said, are easier to use than those on the inside.

A zipper with a double row of stitching on each side is best, she said. An oversized zipper tab is easy to grasp even when you're wearing gloves or mittens.