How the Pacific Ocean can impact our spring and summer temperatures

With temperatures warming as we head deeper into the spring and summer months, a lot of people are looking to head outdoors. Temperatures in the Pacific Ocean can have a substantial impact on what we end up feeling in Mid-Missouri and are looked at through the ENSO.

The ENSO stands for the El Nino Southern Oscillation which is depicted through sea surface temperature changes in the central and eastern portions of the Pacific Ocean.

When these temperature measurements remain normal and there's little to no changes across the ocean (0.5 degrees Celsius - -0.5 degrees Celsius), the atmosphere is in a neutral state, which is what is currently occurring right now across the United States. This causes disruptions and significant weather changes for the United States.

As we look into extended outlooks ranging from just over a week out, temperatures are forecasted to be above average for the Midwest, including Mid-Missouri.

But even further out, this warmer than average pattern continues to remain overhead through May, June, and July, which is identical to past ENSO-Neutral patterns we have seen during the spring and early summer months.

Overall, the temperature trend throughout the next several months is going to be looking warmer than average, but that doesn't mean we could have a couple of cold spells every now and then.