El Niño in Houston, TX
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Houston was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in 1 of 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 19.35 inches, 174% of normal — 3rd wettest of 86.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Houston; record since Dec–Feb 1939–40.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 13.44 in+2.33 in vs normal · 121%17th wettest of 86 | 54.1 °F−2.9 °F vs normal26th coldest of 93 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 19.35 in+8.24 in vs normal · 174%3rd wettest of 86 | 57 °F±0.0 °F vs normaltied 32nd warmest of 93 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 7.66 in−3.45 in vs normal · 69%18th driest of 86 | 59.1 °F+2.1 °F vs normal12th warmest of 93 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 11.11 in | 57 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 86 winters for precipitation, 93 for temperature (1 incomplete winters are left out). Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Houston precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Houston
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Houston in the 50–60% 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, San Antonio, Austin, Oklahoma City. All 50 cities