The current sea surface temperatures and weather patterns being driven by El Niño are equivalent to the largest on record, which were recorded in 1997-98. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides monitoring and forecasting updates on its El Niño Portal. Information available on the portal includes the current status of El Niño and climate outlooks for the U.S., including a state-by-state assessment of the phenomenon measured by seasonal mean temperatures and precipitation trends during past strong El Niño events. According to Mike Halpert of the NOAA climate prediction center, now is the time when peak impacts of El Niño begin to manifest themselves over North America. This peak time is expected to last through March or April.