El Niño in Seattle, WA
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Seattle was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 2015–16: 24.63 inches, 163% of normal — the wettest of 78.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Seattle; record since Dec–Feb 1948–49.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 18.5 in+3.34 in vs normal · 122%tied 21st wettest of 78 | 43.8 °F+2.1 °F vs normaltied 5th warmest of 78 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 13.1 in−2.06 in vs normal · 86%26th driest of 78 | 43.3 °F+1.6 °F vs normaltied 11th warmest of 78 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 24.63 in+9.47 in vs normal · 163%the wettest of 78 | 43.6 °F+1.9 °F vs normaltied 8th warmest of 78 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 15.16 in | 41.7 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 78 winters for precipitation, 78 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Seattle precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Seattle
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Seattle in equal chances of above-, near- or below-normal precipitation (no tilt either way), and in the 50–60% 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 Pacific Northwest
- Washington 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 Northwest climate region: Portland, Boise. All 50 cities