Scientists are studying the two warmest months on record in Missouri to get a better handle on forecasting. Meteorologist Dr. Anthony Lupo of the University of Missouri says this past March averaged 15 degrees above normal, and December of 1889 averaged 18 degrees above normal. Those months are rare. It’s only happened twice since 1889.

Lupo says there are several similarities between those two months, beginning with a weak La Nina pattern in both years. One forecasting lesson seems fairly certain: warm weather in the months following those super-warm months, and that is what we have seen since March. Lupo says expect that to continue through the summer.