El Niño in Las Vegas, NV
In 1 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Las Vegas was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in 1 of 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 3.13 inches, 173% of normal — 10th wettest of 78.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Las Vegas; record since Dec–Feb 1948–49.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 1.47 in−0.34 in vs normal · 81%31st wettest of 78 | 49.1 °F−1.0 °F vs normaltied 37th coldest of 77 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 3.13 in+1.32 in vs normal · 173%10th wettest of 78 | 48.8 °F−1.3 °F vs normaltied 28th coldest of 77 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 0.57 in−1.24 in vs normal · 32%tied 25th driest of 78 | 50.7 °F+0.6 °F vs normal20th warmest of 77 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 1.81 in | 50.1 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 78 winters for precipitation, 77 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Las Vegas precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Las Vegas
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Las Vegas 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 United States
- Nevada 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 West climate region: Los Angeles, Riverside–San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, San Jose. All 50 cities