El Niño in Milwaukee, WI
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Milwaukee was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 1982–83: 7.09 inches, 132% of normal — tied 11th wettest of 87.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Milwaukee; record since Dec–Feb 1938–39.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 7.09 in+1.70 in vs normal · 132%tied 11th wettest of 87 | 30.6 °F+3.3 °F vs normaltied 8th warmest of 88 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 7.09 in+1.70 in vs normal · 132%tied 11th wettest of 87 | 32.4 °F+5.1 °F vs normaltied 3rd warmest of 88 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 5.14 in−0.25 in vs normal · 95%tied 39th wettest of 87 | 31.7 °F+4.4 °F vs normal5th warmest of 88 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 5.39 in | 27.3 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 87 winters for precipitation, 88 for temperature (1 incomplete winters are left out). Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Milwaukee precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Milwaukee
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Milwaukee in equal chances of above-, near- or below-normal precipitation (no tilt either way), and in the 50–60% 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
- Wisconsin 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 Upper Midwest climate region: Detroit, Minneapolis–St. Paul. All 50 cities