El Niño in Kansas City, MO
In all 3 past super El Niño winters, Kansas City was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 1982–83: 5.09 inches, 121% of normal — 15th wettest of 54.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Kansas City; record since Dec–Feb 1972–73.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 5.09 in+0.89 in vs normal · 121%15th wettest of 54 | 34 °F+2.3 °F vs normal17th warmest of 54 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 4.41 in+0.21 in vs normal · 105%tied 20th wettest of 54 | 35.9 °F+4.2 °F vs normaltied 4th warmest of 54 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 4.41 in+0.21 in vs normal · 105%tied 20th wettest of 54 | 35.9 °F+4.2 °F vs normaltied 4th warmest of 54 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 4.2 in | 31.7 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 54 winters for precipitation, 54 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Kansas City precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Kansas City
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Kansas City in the 33–40% area for above-normal precipitation, and in the 33–40% 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
- Missouri 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, Columbus, Indianapolis, Cleveland. All 50 cities