El Niño in New York, NY
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, New York was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 15.29 inches, 136% of normal — 8th wettest of 131.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, New York (Central Park); record since Dec–Feb 1895–96.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 9.7 in−1.54 in vs normal · 86%55th driest of 131 | 37 °F+0.7 °F vs normal19th warmest of 131 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 15.29 in+4.05 in vs normal · 136%8th wettest of 131 | 40 °F+3.7 °F vs normal6th warmest of 131 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 13.55 in+2.31 in vs normal · 121%21st wettest of 131 | 41 °F+4.7 °F vs normaltied 2nd warmest of 131 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 11.24 in | 36.3 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 131 winters for precipitation, 131 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, New York (Central Park) precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places New York
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places New York in the 40–50% area for above-normal precipitation, 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
- New York 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 Northeast climate region: Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Providence. All 50 cities