El Niño in Chicago, IL
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Chicago was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 1982–83: 11.29 inches, 187% of normal — the wettest of 68.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Chicago; record since Dec–Feb 1958–59.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 11.29 in+5.25 in vs normal · 187%the wettest of 68 | 33.2 °F+4.8 °F vs normal5th warmest of 68 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 5.87 in−0.17 in vs normal · 97%32nd wettest of 68 | 34.5 °F+6.1 °F vs normal2nd warmest of 68 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 6.94 in+0.90 in vs normal · 115%tied 19th wettest of 68 | 32.3 °F+3.9 °F vs normaltied 6th warmest of 68 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 6.04 in | 28.4 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 68 winters for precipitation, 68 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Chicago precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Chicago
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Chicago in equal chances of above-, near- or below-normal precipitation (no tilt either way), and in the 50–60% 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 Northeast and Midwest
- Illinois 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 Ohio Valley climate region: St. Louis, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Columbus, Indianapolis, Cleveland. All 50 cities