El Niño in Austin, TX
In 1 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Austin was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in 2 of 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 10.24 inches, 142% of normal — 10th wettest of 88.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Austin; record since Dec–Feb 1938–39.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 6.84 in−0.35 in vs normal · 95%34th wettest of 88 | 50.5 °F−3.3 °F vs normaltied 17th coldest of 88 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 10.24 in+3.05 in vs normal · 142%10th wettest of 88 | 53.9 °F+0.1 °F vs normaltied 26th warmest of 88 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 4.69 in−2.50 in vs normal · 65%27th driest of 88 | 56.2 °F+2.4 °F vs normal8th warmest of 88 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 7.19 in | 53.8 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 88 winters for precipitation, 88 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Austin precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Austin
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Austin in the 40–50% area for above-normal precipitation, and in equal chances of above-, near- or below-normal temperature (no tilt either way).
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
- Texas 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 South climate region: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Oklahoma City. All 50 cities