Phases in the Pacific Ocean can have an impact on the weather we see here in Iowa, but that’s not happening this year. According to State Climatologist, Harry Hillaker, the Pacific is in a neutral phase right now. He says the dry weather we’ve seen this summer is somewhat localized, as places in Missouri have seen record breaking amounts of rain. He explains El Nino means warmer ocean temperatures and more rain for the Midwest. The opposite is La Nina, marked by cooler ocean temps and dry conditions in our area.