El Niño in Richmond, VA
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Richmond was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in 2 of 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 14.98 inches, 162% of normal — 4th wettest of 83.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Richmond; record since Dec–Feb 1939–40.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 8.92 in−0.32 in vs normal · 97%41st driest of 83 | 40.1 °F−0.6 °F vs normaltied 36th warmest of 83 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 14.98 in+5.74 in vs normal · 162%4th wettest of 83 | 43 °F+2.3 °F vs normal12th warmest of 83 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 13.59 in+4.35 in vs normal · 147%9th wettest of 83 | 42.9 °F+2.2 °F vs normal13th warmest of 83 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 9.24 in | 40.7 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 83 winters for precipitation, 83 for temperature (4 incomplete winters are left out). Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Richmond precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Richmond
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Richmond 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
- Virginia 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