El Niño in Dallas, TX
In 1 of 2 past super El Niño winters with data, Dallas was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in 2 of 3.
The wettest of them was 2015–16: 8.67 inches, 105% of normal — 25th wettest of 86.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Dallas; record since Dec–Feb 1939–40.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 6.82 in−1.45 in vs normal · 83%42nd wettest of 86 | 48.1 °F−0.8 °F vs normaltied 39th warmest of 87 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | no dataNCEI has no complete Dec–Feb value for this winter | 49 °F+0.1 °F vs normaltied 27th warmest of 87 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 8.67 in+0.40 in vs normal · 105%25th wettest of 86 | 51.1 °F+2.2 °F vs normaltied 11th warmest of 87 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 8.27 in | 48.9 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 86 winters for precipitation, 87 for temperature (1 incomplete winters are left out). Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Dallas precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Dallas
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Dallas 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: Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Oklahoma City. All 50 cities