La Nina, the periodic cooling in the surface waters of the Central and Eastern Pacific that enhances hurricane formation in the Atlantic and can affect weather across the United States, appears to be fading away.

Climatologists at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center say sea surface temperatures are rising out there, and approaching what they regard as "neutral" conditions in the La Nina/El Nino cycle, known as the "El Nino Southern Oscillation," or ENSO.

Here's more. And, you can watch the cool (blue) waters in the central Pacific warming up (yellow and tan) in the animation above, which is based on satellite observations of the Pacific during the past few months.

This departing La Nina has been credited (or blamed) for the drought that has plagued the West and the Southeast (including southeastern Maryland) since last summer, and for the mild winter, which brought just 8.5 inches of snow to Baltimore. It also played a role in the heavy snows in the upper Midwest and New England.

La Nina is also believed to facilitate Atlantic hurricane formation, but last year's hurricane season was only slightly more active than the long-term averages. Forecasters will be watching this La Nina's final months for any possible lingering influence it might have over this year's hurricane formation.

Although La Ninas can often be followed by El Nino conditions, it is also possible for "ENSO neutral" conditions - more or less average sea-surface temperatures - to persist for a time. Here is a link to NOAA's FAQ page on El Nino and La Nina.