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SunnyDays

ERA5 almanac comparison — 8 years of real data

Big Sur vs Scottsdale Desert Ridge: weather in December

Scottsdale Desert Ridge edges out Big Sur for sun in December: 18% clear historically versus 4% (8-year ERA5 average, a 14-point gap). Big Sur also sees measurably more rain than Scottsdale Desert Ridge this month (36% vs 12% of days). Both are viable — Scottsdale Desert Ridge is the safer bet.

What you are reading: 8-year historical averages, not a forecast. Either destination can still surprise you this specific December. For this week’s actual forecast, each destination links to its live page below.

Big Sur

CA

Clear days, December
4%
Sample size
n=248 days
Avg high
60°F
Early December (1st–15th)
6%
Late December (16th–end)
2%
Rain frequency
36% of days

Scottsdale Desert Ridge

AZ

Clear days, December
18%
Sample size
n=248 days
Avg high
66°F
Early December (1st–15th)
22%
Late December (16th–end)
15%
Rain frequency
12% of days

Compare Big Sur vs Scottsdale Desert Ridge in another month

All percentages are historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 8 full years (2018–2025). “Clear” means avg high ≥ 72 °F, precipitation < 1 mm, and a non-precipitation weather code. This is history, not a forecast. The live 7-day outlook for any destination is on its own page and may differ from the long-run average. Data from Open-Meteo.