El Niño in Philadelphia, PA
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Philadelphia was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 2015–16: 12.15 inches, 124% of normal — 12th wettest of 86.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Philadelphia; record since Dec–Feb 1940–41.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 8.15 in−1.69 in vs normal · 83%25th driest of 86 | 37.7 °F+1.1 °F vs normaltied 17th warmest of 86 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 10.58 in+0.74 in vs normal · 108%23rd wettest of 86 | 40.7 °F+4.1 °F vs normal5th warmest of 86 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 12.15 in+2.31 in vs normal · 124%12th wettest of 86 | 41.3 °F+4.7 °F vs normaltied 2nd warmest of 86 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 9.84 in | 36.6 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 86 winters for precipitation, 86 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Philadelphia precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Philadelphia
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Philadelphia in the 50–60% 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
- Pennsylvania 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: New York, Boston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Providence. All 50 cities