El Niño in San Francisco, CA
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, San Francisco was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in 1 of 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 25.73 inches, 214% of normal — the wettest of 80.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, San Francisco; record since Dec–Feb 1945–46.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 17.46 in+5.46 in vs normal · 146%12th wettest of 80 | 50 °F−1.4 °F vs normaltied 36th coldest of 80 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 25.73 in+13.73 in vs normal · 214%the wettest of 80 | 51.4 °F±0.0 °F vs normal27th warmest of 80 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 9.8 in−2.20 in vs normal · 82%33rd driest of 80 | 53 °F+1.6 °F vs normaltied 8th warmest of 80 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 12 in | 51.4 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 80 winters for precipitation, 80 for temperature (1 incomplete winters are left out). Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, San Francisco precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places San Francisco
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places San Francisco 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.
Official notices for California
- September 22, 2026California's Insurance Commissioner asked residents to review their cover before the El Niño storm season. The release notes that homeowners, renters and commercial policies typically exclude flood damage, and that flood insurance generally takes effect 30 days after purchase.California Department of Insurance
- September 21, 2026California's governor proclaimed a state of emergency for El Niño preparedness. State agencies are to stage flood-fighting supplies such as sandbags and pumps; Caltrans is to stage road-closure and snow-removal equipment. The release cites NOAA's 75% chance of a historic event.Office of the Governor of California
Read next
- What El Niño means for California
- California 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 West climate region: Los Angeles, Riverside–San Bernardino, San Diego, Sacramento, Las Vegas, San Jose. All 50 cities