Nutrien Principal Atmospheric Scientist Eric Snodgrass says a developing El Nino pattern could move into unprecedented territory later this year, creating uncertainty for crop production and summer weather patterns. “We’re already in El Nino. It’s not something that’s still coming. It’s already here,” Snodgrass said. He noted ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific are already running well above normal and could continue strengthening during the next several months. “There’s a risk of this El Nino having an ocean temperature average 3 to 4 degrees above historical normals.” Snodgrass says no El Nino event on record has ever exceeded 3 degrees above normal. “We would be in uncharted territory in terms of figuring that out right now,” he said. He added the evolving pattern could push the worst summer heat farther west while increasing thunderstorm activity across parts of the Corn Belt. However, Snodgrass warned weather conditions could remain highly volatile through much of the growing season.
