Drain tips · Winter 2026-27
El Niño is here. Is your Yuma home ready for winter storms?
Yuma is one of the driest places in the country. An average November brings about a quarter inch of rain, and December and January bring less than half an inch each. Most homes, yards and drains here are built for that. This winter could be different. NOAA has an El Niño Advisory in effect, and forecasters expect a strong to very strong El Niño to last through at least early 2027. Here's what that could mean for your home, and a checklist to get ready before the storms arrive.
What El Niño means for Yuma
El Niño is a warming of the Pacific Ocean near the equator that shifts weather patterns around the world. During strong El Niño winters, the jet stream tends to dip farther south, steering more storm systems across the southern United States, including Arizona.
- Better odds of a wet winter. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center outlooks give most of Arizona a 33% to 60% chance of above-normal rainfall this winter.
- Storms usually come later. Most El Niño storm activity in Arizona arrives in January, February and March.
- More rain than usual adds up. University of Arizona climate researchers have found that winter precipitation in south-central Arizona during El Niño years has averaged almost double that of other years.
It's not a guarantee. El Niño shifts the odds; it doesn't promise rain. During the last strong El Niño, in 2015-16, storms stayed farther north and much of Arizona ended up drier than normal. Preparing costs little, and being caught unprepared can cost a lot.
Yuma has seen this before
In the El Niño winter of 1993, heavy rain caused severe flooding across Arizona. The swollen Gila River closed U.S. Highway 95 just east of Yuma for nearly six months, and statewide flood damage was estimated at about $50 million. Not every El Niño brings floods, but it's a reminder of what a wet winter can do in a place that isn't built for one.
Why winter rain is hard on Yuma drains
Dry ground doesn't absorb water fast
Hard, dry desert soil sheds water instead of soaking it up. Rain runs across yards, patios and driveways and heads straight for the nearest drain, along with the dust, sand and leaves that have collected there since the last storm.
Winter rain lasts longer than monsoon bursts
Monsoon storms are intense but short. Winter storms tend to bring steadier rain over hours or days. Soil stays wet, and water finds its way into cracked or poorly sealed sewer lines through the ground. That extra water takes up room in a line that may already be narrowed by roots, grease or scale.
Missing cleanout caps let rain in
A sewer cleanout with a cracked or missing cap is an open door for rainwater straight into your sewer line. During a heavy storm, that can be enough to back the line up into your home.
Storms land in the busiest season
January through March is also when winter visitors and seasonal residents are back, homes and RV parks are full, and drains are getting their heaviest use of the year. A sewer line that's coping with a full house can be pushed over the edge by a storm.
Yuma El Niño drain checklist
Before the storms (do it in December)
- Clear dirt, sand, leaves and palm fronds out of yard drains, patio drains and their grates.
- Clean gutters, downspouts and flat-roof drains or scuppers so roof water flows away from the house.
- Make sure downspouts empty away from your foundation, not next to it.
- Find your sewer cleanout and check that its cap is on tight and not cracked. Replace a damaged cap.
- If several drains have been slow, or a toilet gurgles, get the main sewer line cleaned now, before the rain.
- If your main line has clogged more than once, schedule a sewer camera inspection to check for roots, cracks or sags.
- Ask a plumber whether a backwater valve makes sense for your home. It helps stop sewage from flowing back in during a backup.
- Call your insurance agent and ask whether your policy covers sewer backups. It's often a separate add-on.
- Know where your main water shut-off is, and keep a plunger and a flashlight handy.
During a storm
- If drains gurgle or water rises in a tub or shower, stop using water right away: no laundry, dishwasher or showers.
- Don't open a sewer cleanout during a storm. The line may be under pressure.
- Stay out of flooded streets and washes. Moving water can hide open drains and debris.
After the storm
- Clear debris that washed into yard and patio drains.
- Run water in each sink, tub and shower, and flush each toilet. Watch for slow drains or gurgling.
- If you had any backup, even one that cleared on its own, get the main line checked before the next storm.
- If water came in from outside, dry everything quickly, take photos and contact your insurance.
Yuma Drain Cleaning Pros · (928) 977-9642 · yumadraincleaningpros.com
El Niño winter storms vs. monsoon season
| Monsoon season | El Niño winter | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Roughly July through September | Mostly January through March |
| Rain style | Short, intense bursts | Steadier rain over hours or days |
| Main drain risk | Sudden overload, debris washed into drains | Soaked ground, water seeping into sewer lines |
| Who's home | Many seasonal homes are empty | Homes and RV parks are full |
For summer storm prep, see our monsoon season drain tips.
If your sewer backs up during a storm
Stop using water, keep people and pets away from any sewage, and call (928) 977-9642. Our sewer backup guide walks through every step, and our emergency drain cleaning page explains what happens next.
Sources
- NOAA Climate Prediction Center: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion (check here for the latest El Niño update)
- KJZZ: Will record-strong El Niño bring a wet winter to Arizona?
- Arizona Geological Survey: Floods
- CLIMAS, University of Arizona