El Niño in Salt Lake City, UT
In all 3 past super El Niño winters, Salt Lake City was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in 2 of 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 7.16 inches, 173% of normal — the wettest of 78.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Salt Lake 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 | 4.48 in+0.34 in vs normal · 108%26th wettest of 78 | 36.1 °F+1.7 °F vs normal19th warmest of 78 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 7.16 in+3.02 in vs normal · 173%the wettest of 78 | 36.4 °F+2.0 °F vs normal17th warmest of 78 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 4.71 in+0.57 in vs normal · 114%22nd wettest of 78 | 34.1 °F−0.3 °F vs normaltied 35th warmest of 78 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 4.14 in | 34.4 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 78 winters for precipitation, 78 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Salt Lake City precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Salt Lake City
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Salt Lake City in equal chances of above-, near- or below-normal precipitation (no tilt either way), 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
- Utah 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 Southwest climate region: Phoenix, Denver, Tucson. All 50 cities