El Niño in Atlanta, GA
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Atlanta was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in 2 of 3.
The wettest of them was 2015–16: 25.04 inches, 182% of normal — the wettest of 96.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Atlanta; record since Dec–Feb 1930–31.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 13.33 in−0.41 in vs normal · 97%43rd wettest of 96 | 46.2 °F−1.2 °F vs normal48th coldest of 96 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 17.99 in+4.25 in vs normal · 131%18th wettest of 96 | 47.9 °F+0.5 °F vs normaltied 32nd warmest of 96 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 25.04 in+11.30 in vs normal · 182%the wettest of 96 | 49.9 °F+2.5 °F vs normaltied 11th warmest of 96 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 13.74 in | 47.4 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 96 winters for precipitation, 96 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Atlanta precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Atlanta
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Atlanta in the 40–50% area for above-normal precipitation, and in the 33–40% area for above-normal temperature.
Read from the contours of CPC’s seasonal outlook issued October 15, 2026 — the area the city falls in on a continental-scale map, not a forecast made for the city. CPC seasonal outlook maps. CPC reissues it monthly.
Read next
- What El Niño means for the Gulf Coast and Southeast
- Georgia statewide in the same three winters (against a 1901–2000 normal, so the departures differ from this page)
- Winter 2026–27 outlook
- Current El Niño status
Other cities in the Southeast climate region: Miami, Washington, Tampa, Orlando, Charlotte, Virginia Beach–Norfolk. All 50 cities