There’s no doubt about it, the weather has just been plain odd so far this year for most areas of the U.S.. That trend isn’t likely to change soon. Going from three consecutive La Niñas to this winter’s El Niño and back to a La Niña certainly makes things interesting. What does the chaos mean for summer temperatures and ongoing drought conditions?

Sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean are going from above normal to below normal throughout the next few months, a phenomenon that last occurred in 2020. This means hot and dry conditions are to be expected this summer. Pacific Ocean sea-surface temperatures are the largest driver of global weather patterns. Meteorologists expect an upper-level ridge to develop this summer, a weather event that usually leads to hot and dry conditions. While drought has improved thanks to precipitation this winter, most growers in the Corn Belt would feel more comfortable with a more optimistic forecast.

Read more on expected weather conditions this summer here.