A strong El Nino system has been a factor in the weather in the northern plains since last summer.

Mike Gillispie at the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls says while that El Nino is forecast to weaken by late summer, it will still have an impact on spring weather trends…..

Gillispie says those forecasts can’t account for heavy rain events like the ones that hit Sioux Falls and Canton in the last couple of years…..

Gilliespie says even the above normal forecast can vary widely…..

The long range forecast also calls for temperatures to be above normal for the spring.