A strong El Nino pattern in the Pacific Ocean has been helping shape the weather over most of North America for the past year. That was marked by strong warming of ocean temperatures.

Changes are starting to take shape.

Acting South Dakota State Climatologist Laura Edwards says the long range prediction is for a La Nina to develop…………

A La Nina means ocean temperatures will cool below normal.

While a La Nina watch has been issued by the Climate Prediction Center, Edwards says the northern plains may not see the strongest part of the changes……

Edwards says in most La Nina years, the northern plains gets a colder winter…..

Edwards says they are hoping to see temperatures cool, and precipitation pick up into the fall.