AMES, Iowa. (WNAX) – While it was slow to develop, it appears the effects of the current El Nino will hang around for a while.

Dennis Todey, head of the Midwest Climate Hub (in Ames Iowa) says they expect a longer than average El Nino.

An El Nino occurs when Pacific Ocean surface temperatures rise, which in turn impacts weather across North America.

Todey says they see warmer than normal temperatures through early summer.

Todey says the long range outlooks calls for above normal precipitation for most of the summer.

Todey made his comments during the monthly Central Region Climate Outlook webinar.