AUSTIN, Texas -- The year started out on a dry note across the state of Texas, a possible effect of a waning La Niña.

The phenomenon of warming and cooling along the equatorial Pacific Ocean has been tied -- or teleconnected -- to our weather here in North America.

Unusually warm conditions, known as La Niña, which historically means drought for the Lone Star State, were observed through this past winter but now a transition back to near normal looks to be afoot.

It's the neutral, or "La Nada," phase of the El Niño cycle.

In an update from the Climate Prediction Center last week, forecasters show how new computer model data indicates a continued warming trend in the equatorial Pacific, pointing to the possible return of El Niño before the year ends.

In the above video, Chief Meteorologist Burton Fitzsimmons says it's as good as a 50 percent chance.

For more information:
NOAA El Niño page