Temperature and precipitation records in the Midwest are examined from several surface stations in order to determine how longer-term variations have resulted in changes in short-term (ENSO – related) variability. This data was acquired from the Missouri Climate Center and some of the data for eastern Kansas was obtained from the Kansas State University Konza Prairie records.  Long-term temperature and precipitation records from the Kirksville airport in Northeast Missouri proved to be nearly identical to the short – term records obtained from the Greenley Agricultural Research Center. This is especially true when comparing the interannual variability. Therefore, this information can be used to examine the issue of watershed runoff. Initial results from the Kirksville airport demonstrate that the ENSO-related temperature and precipitation variability is modulated by longer–term variability on interdecadal time scales. This suggests that the expected seasonal temperature and precipitation that occurs during one ENSO event may not necessarily mimic those of another similar ENSO event. Therefore, in order to improve predictability issues one and two seasons in advance, longer-term variability needs to be considered as being superimposed on the interannual ENSO-related variability.  Such an improvement in the forecast lead time will help growers make better decisions with respect to planting and fertilizer applications.