El Niño in Raleigh, NC
In all 3 past super El Niño winters, Raleigh was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in 2 of 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 16.04 inches, 169% of normal — 3rd wettest of 82.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Raleigh; record since Dec–Feb 1944–45.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 11.82 in+2.31 in vs normal · 124%20th wettest of 82 | 43 °F−2.0 °F vs normaltied 38th coldest of 82 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 16.04 in+6.53 in vs normal · 169%3rd wettest of 82 | 45.7 °F+0.7 °F vs normaltied 22nd warmest of 82 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 12.49 in+2.98 in vs normal · 131%16th wettest of 82 | 47.8 °F+2.8 °F vs normaltied 6th warmest of 82 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 9.51 in | 45 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 82 winters for precipitation, 82 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Raleigh precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Raleigh
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Raleigh in the 50–60% area for above-normal precipitation, and in the 33–40% 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 Gulf Coast and Southeast
- North Carolina 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 Southeast climate region: Miami, Washington, Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Charlotte. All 50 cities