ERA5 almanac comparison — 8 years of real data
Big Sur vs Telluride: weather in May
Big Sur edges out Telluride for sun in May: 5% clear historically versus 0% (8-year ERA5 average, a 5-point gap). Telluride also sees measurably more rain than Big Sur this month (33% vs 10% of days). Both are viable — Big Sur is the safer bet.
Big Sur
CA
- Clear days, May
- 5%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 63°F
- Early May (1st–15th)
- 3%
- Late May (16th–end)
- 6%
- Rain frequency
- 10% of days
Telluride
CO
- Clear days, May
- 0%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 55°F
- Early May (1st–15th)
- 0%
- Late May (16th–end)
- 0%
- Rain frequency
- 33% of days
Frequently asked
Is Big Sur or Telluride warmer in May?
Big Sur runs warmer by day in May. Big Sur averages highs of 63°F (highs n=248 days); Telluride averages highs of 55°F (highs n=248 days) (ERA5 2018–2025). Historical averages, not a forecast.
Does it rain more in Big Sur or Telluride in May?
Telluride is measurably wetter than Big Sur. Days with measurable rain: Big Sur 10%, Telluride 33% (n=248 and n=248 days). ERA5 2018–2025; historical, not a forecast.
Which is sunnier in May, Big Sur or Telluride?
Big Sur edges out Telluride for sun in May: 5% clear historically versus 0% (8-year ERA5 average, a 5-point gap). Telluride also sees measurably more rain than Big Sur this month (33% vs 10% of days). Both are viable — Big Sur is the safer bet.
Compare Big Sur vs Telluride 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 forecast for any destination is on its own page and may differ from the long-run average. Data from Open-Meteo.