El Niño / La Niña Local Effect on Rainfall

Tampa Average Rainfall by Category Lakeland Average Rainfall by Category Sarasota-Bradenton Average Rainfall by Category Fort Myers Average Rainfall by Category

What stands out most clearly is that the rainfall is well above normal in December through March during strong El Niño years, and well below normal during the same months in strong La Niña years.

Looking more closely, the links below show total rainfall from December through March for all strong El Niño years since 1951.

Tampa December Through March Rainfall Totals During Strong El Niño Years Lakeland December Through March Rainfall Totals During Strong El Niño Years Sarasota-Bradenton December Through March Rainfall Totals During Strong El Niño Years Fort Myers December Through March Rainfall Totals During Strong El Niño Years

Tampa shows 7 of the 10 strong El Niño years above normal, Sarasota-Bradenton 8 of 10, with Lakeland and Fort Myers showing 9 of 10. Clearly, rainfall is likely to be above normal during strong El Niño events.

Next are the December through March rainfall totals for strong La Niña years.

Tampa December Through March Rainfall Totals During Strong La Niña Years Lakeland December Through March Rainfall Totals During Strong La Niña Years Sarasota-Bradenton December Through March Rainfall Totals During Strong La Niña Years Fort Myers December Through March Rainfall Totals During Strong La Niña Years

Without fail, all but one La Niña year had below normal rainfall for the December through March period, with some years well below normal.