The national Climate Prediction Center has again issued a La Nina watch into next year. La Nina occurs when Pacific Ocean surface temperatures fall, and has some effect on weather in North America.
Dennis Todey, Director of the USDA Climate Hub in Ames Iowa, (and former South Dakota state climatologist) says the La Nina watch doesn’t mean much change in the long range outlook….

Todey says the La Nina may be a contributing factor to the winter pattern…..

Todey says other factors may have more of an effect on the weather through next spring…..

The La Nina comes on the heels of a two year, record breaking El Nino that faded away late this summer.