El Niño in Providence, RI
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Providence was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 15.24 inches, 127% of normal — 8th wettest of 78.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Providence; record since Dec–Feb 1948–49.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 10.96 in−1.07 in vs normal · 91%tied 30th driest of 78 | 32.5 °F+0.6 °F vs normaltied 22nd warmest of 78 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 15.24 in+3.21 in vs normal · 127%8th wettest of 78 | 34.7 °F+2.8 °F vs normal8th warmest of 78 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 13.15 in+1.12 in vs normal · 109%28th wettest of 78 | 37 °F+5.1 °F vs normalthe warmest of 78 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 12.03 in | 31.9 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 78 winters for precipitation, 78 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Providence precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Providence
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Providence 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
- Rhode Island 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, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh. All 50 cities