El Niño in Cleveland, OH
In none of the 3 past super El Niño winters, Cleveland was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 8.24 inches, 95% of normal — 31st wettest of 88.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Cleveland; record since Dec–Feb 1938–39.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 5.56 in−3.09 in vs normal · 64%12th driest of 88 | 34.9 °F+3.9 °F vs normal9th warmest of 88 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 8.24 in−0.41 in vs normal · 95%31st wettest of 88 | 36.2 °F+5.2 °F vs normal3rd warmest of 88 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 7.56 in−1.09 in vs normal · 87%tied 44th wettest of 88 | 35.3 °F+4.3 °F vs normaltied 6th warmest of 88 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 8.65 in | 31 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 88 winters for precipitation, 88 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Cleveland precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Cleveland
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Cleveland 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
- Ohio 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: Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Columbus, Indianapolis. All 50 cities