El Niño in Denver, CO
In 1 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Denver was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 2015–16: 2.81 inches, 124% of normal — 26th wettest of 131.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at NOAA’s Colorado Climate Division 4 (NOAA has no city series for Denver; a climate division is an area average, not the city itself); record since Dec–Feb 1895–96.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 1.88 in−0.39 in vs normal · 83%36th driest of 131 | 29.1 °F+1.8 °F vs normal15th warmest of 131 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 1.97 in−0.30 in vs normal · 87%tied 44th driest of 131 | 28.3 °F+1.0 °F vs normal23rd warmest of 131 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 2.81 in+0.54 in vs normal · 124%26th wettest of 131 | 28.2 °F+0.9 °F vs normal24th warmest of 131 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 2.27 in | 27.3 °F |
Ranks are within this division’s own record: 131 winters for precipitation, 131 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Colorado, Climate Division 4 precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Denver
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Denver in the 33–40% 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 United States
- Colorado 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 Southwest climate region: Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Tucson. All 50 cities