 Most of us have heard the term El Niño in discussions about weather and climate. Have you ever wondered where the term originated from or what it means for Wyoming? El Niño means the little boy or Christ child in Spanish, named because of the time of year it was first observed in December. El Niño was originally recognized by fishermen off the coast of South America in the 1600s with the appearance of unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean. In scientific terms, El Niño is one phase of the Southern Oscillation, or INSO, cycle. The presence of El Niño has been shown to significantly influence weather patterns, ocean conditions, and marine fisheries across large portions of the world for extended periods of time. Depending on the strength of an El Niño, it can be a good indicator of the October through February seasonal forecast. Effects common to the western and northern U.S. include warmer than average temperatures. So May, the next time the conversation at the coffee shop shifts from politics to weather, you can talk about the little boy or El Niño. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Wendy Kelly, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.