Great Lakes water levels should remain mostly above average over the next six months – as a powerful El Nino system gives the vast region of the planet a break – after two bitterly cold winters in the Northern Hemisphere.

American federal agencies say the periodic warming of Pacific waters should produce  above-normal temperatures – although there will be occasional cold snaps along with some snowfall – but not as much as in the past two years.

That means water levels might rise less than usual – when spring comes.