The new NMME and ECMWF seasonal forecasts are out and these two models are NOT in agreement about summer. The NMME is significantly drier across the Upper Midwest while the ECMWF is drier over Texas. Summer ridge placement is key in determining precipitation anomalies and the rapidly building El Niño is increasing uncertainty and these models are showcasing that uncertainty. Remember, developing El Niño's are not "slam dunk" forecasting guarantees. We will need to see how much of the total drought area is reduced by the end of Spring and then assess North Pacific and North Atlantic sea surface temperatures in June to better diagnose the summer temperature and precipitation patterns across the US.