The early snowfall and bone-chilling temperatures make it difficult to believe winter has not officially begun. Some climatologists tend to think this may be the result of El Ni¤o.

El Ni¤o is a disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific Ocean that causes unfavorable weather patterns around the world.

Dan Smith, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said, “The oceanic temperatures this year are unseasonably warm — about three to eight degrees above normal — and that tends to steer the weather systems to the north, to the United States.”

El Ni¤o is going to have the most effect on the Pacific coast this winter, Smith said.

In the southern part of the country, the weather patterns may cause the weather to be wetter than usual.

Some regions may receive massive amounts of rainfall, Smith said.

The northwest part of the country may be bombarded with high levels of snow accumulation.

Near the Baja Peninsula, it is expected that there will be several hurricanes, which could cause some problems, Smith said.

The unusual weather patterns in those areas tend to bring high levels of damage caused by the storms, Smith said.

Marcia Qualey, meteorologist for Channel 4000 Weather, a CBS affiliate in Minnesota, said experts are expecting high levels of damage due to the storms.

“This season, we are expecting the estimated damage to total more than $1.27 billion,” she said.

Even though Iowa has already received more than 10 inches of snow, there is no need to worry about El Ni¤o having an adverse effect on central Iowa, Smith said.

“Even though the snow in October and early November is unusual, the temperatures will be above normal and precipitation will be above normal,” he said.

“If anything comes of [El Ni¤o], all that will happen would be southern Iowa may be blanketed with a couple more inches of snow,” Smith said.