Undated  –   The Climate Prediction Center said Thursday, a developing El Nino weather pattern in the eastern Pacific Ocean is likely to bring warm temperatures to most of continental U.S through next summer.  El Nino is a periodic warming of waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, which has global climate impacts.

For the fall, most of the country is likely to have a normal amount of rainfall and snow fall, although the Great Lakes and Northeast have a better shot at above-average precipitation.

The center reports, “The temperature and precipitation outlooks are consistent with the elevated probability of El Nino development and its impacts.”

The climate center, a branch of the National Weather Service, says there’s a 70 percent chance of an El Nino forming this winter.