El Niño in Washington, DC
In 2 of 3 past super El Niño winters, Washington was wetter than normal. It was warmer than normal in all 3.
The wettest of them was 1997–98: 12.41 inches, 140% of normal — 7th wettest of 85.
History from three winters, not a forecast. Measured at one NOAA station, Washington (Reagan National); record since Dec–Feb 1941–42.
December–February in the three super El Niño winters
| Winter | Precipitation | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83Dec 1982–Feb 1983 | 6.53 in−2.36 in vs normal · 74%19th driest of 85 | 41.2 °F+1.1 °F vs normal23rd warmest of 84 |
| 1997–98Dec 1997–Feb 1998 | 12.41 in+3.52 in vs normal · 140%7th wettest of 85 | 43.7 °F+3.6 °F vs normal5th warmest of 84 |
| 2015–16Dec 2015–Feb 2016 | 11.31 in+2.42 in vs normal · 127%13th wettest of 85 | 42.1 °F+2.0 °F vs normal13th warmest of 84 |
| Normal1991–2020 average | 8.89 in | 40.1 °F |
Ranks are within this station’s own record: 85 winters for precipitation, 84 for temperature. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, Washington (Reagan National) precipitation and temperature, as of November 11, 2026.
This winter: where NOAA’s outlook places Washington
For December–February 2026–27, the Climate Prediction Center’s map places Washington in the 40–50% 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.
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