El Niño in Indianapolis, IN
In 1 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Indianapolis was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 2015–16: 9.31 inches, 107% of normal — 29th wettest of 78.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Indianapolis; record since Dec–Feb 1948–49.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 7.88 in−0.79 in vs normal · 91%34th driest of 78 | 35.4 °F+3.8 °F vs normal8th warmest of 78 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 5.07 in−3.60 in vs normal · 59%7th driest of 78 | 37.3 °F+5.7 °F vs normalthe warmest of 78 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 9.31 in+0.64 in vs normal · 107%29th wettest of 78 | 35.5 °F+3.9 °F vs normal7th warmest of 78 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 8.67 in | 31.6 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 78 winters for precipitation, 78 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Indianapolis precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Indianapolis
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Indianapolis in equal chances of above-, near- or below-normal precipitation (no tilt either way), and in the 40–50% 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
- Indiana 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, Cleveland. All 50 cities