"The El Nino weather pattern should fade out by June but could be replaced by the La Nina phenomenon by the second half of the year, a U.S. government forecaster said on Thursday.

There is a 49% chance that the La Nina weather pattern may develop during the June to August period, rising to 69% in July-September, the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) said in its monthly forecast.

The cycle between the weather patterns -- which can spawn wildfires, tropical cyclones and prolonged droughts -- is vital to farmers worldwide.

In Latin America, they have affected crops such as wheat, soy and corn, damaging regional economies often highly dependent on farming."

Anushree Mukherjee and Brijesh Patel report for Reuters May 9, 2024. [2]