You can breathe a bit easier—it appears El Niño is now a non-issue for the U.S. The U.S. Climate Prediction Center (CPC) weather forecasters recently said the risk for the havoc-wreaking weather phenomenon is less likely than originally thought.

Just five months ago, the CPC issued an El Niño alert, warning of more winter precipitation in the Southwest, less wintry weather in the North, and wicked winter storms here in the Virginia, throughout the South, as well as in California. Beyond weather and climate, global food supplies can also be affected.

According to the CPC, El Niño was expected to arrive in August or September. It’s worth noting El Niño may still make an appearance over the next few months, even though chances are now low.

El Niños occur every 3 to 7 years, and can last up to a year. The most recent El Niño events occurred in 2006–07 and 2009. The El Niño in 1997–98 was the strongest ever recorded.