El Niño in Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Minneapolis–St. Paul was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 1982–83: 6.14 inches, 209% of normal — 3rd wettest of 88.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Minneapolis-St. Paul; record since Dec–Feb 1938–39.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 6.14 in+3.20 in vs normal · 209%3rd wettest of 88 | 24.3 °F+4.7 °F vs normal9th warmest of 88 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 2.77 in−0.17 in vs normal · 94%39th wettest of 88 | 26.7 °F+7.1 °F vs normal3rd warmest of 88 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 3.74 in+0.80 in vs normal · 127%tied 19th wettest of 88 | 24.4 °F+4.8 °F vs normaltied 7th warmest of 88 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 2.94 in | 19.6 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 88 winters for precipitation, 88 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Minneapolis-St. Paul precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Minneapolis–St. Paul
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Minneapolis–St. Paul 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
- Minnesota 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, Milwaukee. All 50 cities