AMES, I.A.(WNAX)- The National Climate Prediction Center is now forecasting the current La Nina to linger into the summer.

Dennis Todey, head of the Midwest Climate Hub in Ames Iowa says that could extend a continuing problem.

Todey says they had expected the La Nina to fade away before summer.

Todey says much of the region is heading into spring with very dry soils.

The CPC has also been talking about drought areas expanding across the central plains into spring.