AMES, Iowa (WNAX) – Pacific Ocean climate factors have been in neutral for the past couple of years but there are hints that may change.

Dennis Todey, head of the USDA’s Midwest Climate Hub (in Ames Iowa) says sea surface temperate trends look to be cooling.

Todey says there is some indication of a developing La Nina later this year.

Todey says those sea surface temperature changes have an impact on North American weather.

A warming surface produces an El Nino which can also have strong weather effects.