El Niño in Oklahoma City, OK
In all 3 past super El Niño winters, Oklahoma City was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in 2 of 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 7.37 inches, 165% of normal — 5th wettest of 78.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Oklahoma City; record since Dec–Feb 1948–49.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 6.29 in+1.81 in vs normal · 140%13th wettest of 78 | 39.7 °F−0.4 °F vs normaltied 27th warmest of 78 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 7.37 in+2.89 in vs normal · 165%5th wettest of 78 | 40.9 °F+0.8 °F vs normal19th warmest of 78 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 4.53 in+0.05 in vs normal · 101%32nd wettest of 78 | 43.8 °F+3.7 °F vs normal2nd warmest of 78 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 4.48 in | 40.1 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 78 winters for precipitation, 78 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Oklahoma City precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Oklahoma City
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Oklahoma City 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
- Oklahoma 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 South climate region: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin. All 50 cities