Des Moines (Radio Iowa) — After we recently checked with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, and were told there looked to be a pretty good chance of a neutral or average winter, the USDA is now saying conditions have quickly changed and now slightly favor a La Niña winter.
A La Niña Watch is being issued by the Climate Prediction Center for the fall and winter months. That relates to cooler sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean which has an impact on weather across North America. Meteorologist Dennis Todey, director of the U-S-D-A’s Midwest Climate Hub — based in Ames, says that prediction evolved quickly.
Todey says there are still questions about the possible impacts of this development.
Todey says if a La Niña weather pattern develops, it could have more of an impact on winter weather.
Todey says a La Niña system could also lead to more snow over the Midwest and Northern Plains this winter.
